CVE-2020-27178 : Security Advisory and Response

Apereo CAS mishandles secret keys with Google Authenticator for multifactor authentication.

Understanding CVE-2020-27178

Apereo CAS versions 5.3.x before 5.3.16, 6.x before 6.1.7.2, 6.2.x before 6.2.4, and 6.3.x before 6.3.0-RC4 are affected by this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-27178?

This CVE describes the mishandling of secret keys with Google Authenticator for multifactor authentication in Apereo CAS.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27178

The vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized access or bypassing of multifactor authentication, compromising the security of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27178

Apereo CAS versions are affected by mishandling secret keys with Google Authenticator for multifactor authentication.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for improper handling of secret keys, impacting the security of multifactor authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Apereo CAS 5.3.x before 5.3.16
Apereo CAS 6.x before 6.1.7.2
Apereo CAS 6.2.x before 6.2.4
Apereo CAS 6.3.x before 6.3.0-RC4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access by manipulating secret keys in Google Authenticator.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2020-27178 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apereo CAS to versions 5.3.16, 6.1.7.2, 6.2.4, or 6.3.0-RC4 that contain fixes.
Regenerate secret keys used for multifactor authentication.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update authentication mechanisms.
Implement additional security layers beyond multifactor authentication.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Apereo CAS to address the vulnerability.