CVE-2020-20021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2020-20021 is a vulnerability found in MikroTik Router v6.46.3 and earlier versions that can lead to a denial of service attack through misconfigurations in the SSH daemon.

Understanding CVE-2020-20021

This CVE identifies a specific security issue in MikroTik Router software that could be exploited by attackers to disrupt services.

What is CVE-2020-20021?

The CVE-2020-20021 vulnerability allows malicious actors to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting misconfigurations within the SSH daemon of MikroTik Router versions 6.46.3 and earlier.

The Impact of CVE-2020-20021

This vulnerability can result in a complete denial of service, rendering the affected MikroTik Router unresponsive and disrupting network services.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-20021

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MikroTik Router v6.46.3 and earlier versions enables attackers to exploit SSH daemon misconfigurations, leading to a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: MikroTik
Product: Router
Affected Versions: v6.46.3 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging misconfigurations in the SSH daemon of the affected MikroTik Router versions to launch denial of service attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-20021 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MikroTik Router software to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Implement proper SSH daemon configurations to mitigate exploitation risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit SSH daemon configurations for any anomalies.
Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of potential denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from MikroTik and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.