CVE-2020-27730 : What You Need to Know

NGINX Controller Agent in versions 3.0.0-3.9.0, 2.0.0-2.9.0, and 1.0.1 is vulnerable to privilege escalation due to improper use of absolute paths when calling system utilities.

Understanding CVE-2020-27730

NGINX Controller Agent versions 3.0.0-3.9.0, 2.0.0-2.9.0, and 1.0.1 are affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-27730?

This CVE identifies a security issue in NGINX Controller Agent versions that allows an attacker to escalate privileges by exploiting the improper use of absolute paths in system utility calls.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27730

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27730

NGINX Controller Agent's vulnerability to privilege escalation due to improper path usage.

Vulnerability Description

The NGINX Controller Agent in versions 3.0.0-3.9.0, 2.0.0-2.9.0, and 1.0.1 does not utilize absolute paths correctly when invoking system utilities, creating a privilege escalation risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

NGINX Controller Agent versions 3.0.0-3.9.0
NGINX Controller Agent versions 2.0.0-2.9.0
NGINX Controller Agent version 1.0.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to manipulate system utility calls and gain unauthorized elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2020-27730 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NGINX Controller Agent to a patched version that addresses the privilege escalation issue.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities indicating privilege escalation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Regularly audit and review system configurations to identify and mitigate security risks.
Conduct security training for personnel to raise awareness of privilege escalation threats.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by NGINX for the Controller Agent to fix the privilege escalation vulnerability.