CVE-2020-21365 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2020-21365 is a directory traversal vulnerability in wkhtmltopdf through version 0.12.5 that allows remote attackers to read local files and disclose sensitive information via a crafted HTML file.

Understanding CVE-2020-21365

This vulnerability poses a risk to systems using the affected versions of wkhtmltopdf, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data.

What is CVE-2020-21365?

The CVE-2020-21365 vulnerability is a directory traversal issue in wkhtmltopdf that enables attackers to access files on the server beyond the intended directory.

The Impact of CVE-2020-21365

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, potentially compromising the confidentiality of data stored on the server.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-21365

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in wkhtmltopdf through version 0.12.5 allows remote attackers to read local files and access sensitive information by exploiting the directory traversal flaw.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions: All versions up to and including 0.12.5 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious HTML file and running it with the default configurations of wkhtmltopdf, enabling them to traverse directories and access unauthorized files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update wkhtmltopdf to a patched version that addresses the directory traversal vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malicious file access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file access logs for any suspicious activities.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by the software vendor to mitigate the CVE-2020-21365 vulnerability.