CVE-2020-28015 : What You Need to Know

Exim 4 before 4.94.2 has Improper Neutralization of Line Delimiters. Local users can alter the behavior of root processes because a recipient address can have a newline character.

Understanding CVE-2020-28015

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Exim 4 that allows local users to manipulate root processes by exploiting newline characters in recipient addresses.

What is CVE-2020-28015?

CVE-2020-28015 is a security vulnerability in Exim 4 versions prior to 4.94.2 that enables local users to modify the behavior of root processes through the manipulation of newline characters in recipient addresses.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28015

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users to potentially compromise the security and integrity of the system, allowing unauthorized alterations to root processes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28015

Exim 4 before version 4.94.2 is susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

Improper Neutralization of Line Delimiters

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Exim 4
Vendor: N/A
Versions: All versions before 4.94.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Local users can exploit the presence of newline characters in recipient addresses to manipulate root processes.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-28015:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Exim to version 4.94.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities related to unauthorized process alterations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user capabilities and minimize the impact of potential security breaches.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates to Exim and other software components to ensure the system's resilience against known vulnerabilities.