CVE-2020-36561 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A path traversal vulnerability in github.com/yi-ge/unzip could allow an attacker to write or overwrite files outside the intended directory.

Understanding CVE-2020-36561

This CVE involves a path traversal vulnerability in the github.com/yi-ge/unzip package, potentially leading to unauthorized file manipulation.

What is CVE-2020-36561?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate path sanitization, enabling the inclusion of relative file paths in archives that may result in files being written or overwritten beyond the target directory.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36561

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or potential system compromise by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36561

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is categorized as CWE 29: Path Traversal, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure using "..\filename" sequences.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Vendor: github.com/yi-ge/unzip
Affected Product: github.com/yi-ge/unzip
Vulnerable Versions: 0 to 1.0.3-0.20200308084313-2adbaa4891b9
Program Routine: Unzip.Extract

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting malicious archives with relative file paths that traverse directory structures, leading to unauthorized file operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-36561 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the github.com/yi-ge/unzip package to a non-vulnerable version.
Implement input validation to sanitize file paths effectively.
Monitor file system activities for suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the path traversal vulnerability.