CVE-2020-24719 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in Erlang could allow for Remote Command Execution (RCE) attacks due to an exposed Erlang Cookie.

Understanding CVE-2020-24719

What is CVE-2020-24719?

Erlang nodes communicate by exchanging a shared secret known as a "magic cookie." In certain scenarios, this magic cookie can be exposed in log content, enabling attackers to connect to an Erlang node and execute OS-level commands on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-24719

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized remote command execution on systems running Erlang nodes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-24719

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the exposure of the Erlang Cookie, allowing attackers to exploit it for RCE attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected version: 6.5.1
Fix version: 6.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the exposed Erlang Cookie to attach to an Erlang node and execute malicious commands on the host system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that Erlang nodes are not exposing the magic cookie in log content.
Implement network segmentation to restrict access to Erlang nodes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit log files for any sensitive information leakage.
Conduct security training for personnel to raise awareness of the risks associated with exposing sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Update Erlang to version 6.6.0 to mitigate the vulnerability.