CVE-2020-29159 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in Zammad before 3.5.1 where the default signup Role for newly created Users could unintentionally become a privileged Role if configured by an admin.

Understanding CVE-2020-29159

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Zammad that could lead to unintended privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2020-29159?

The vulnerability in Zammad before version 3.5.1 allows the default signup Role to be elevated to a privileged Role if set by an admin, contrary to intended behavior.

The Impact of CVE-2020-29159

The vulnerability could potentially allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges within the system, posing a security risk to the organization.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-29159

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Zammad before 3.5.1 enables the default signup Role to be configured as a privileged Role by an admin, contrary to the intended design.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Zammad
Vendor: Zammad
Versions affected: All versions before 3.5.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an admin configuring the default signup Role, leading to unintended privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-29159 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Zammad to version 3.5.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and adjust user Roles to ensure proper access levels.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user Roles and permissions.
Conduct security training for admins to prevent misconfigurations.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches for Zammad to address vulnerabilities promptly.