CVE-2020-5253 : Security Advisory and Response

NetHack before version 3.6.0 had a vulnerability that allowed malicious use of character escaping in the configuration file, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2020-5253

This CVE entry describes a security issue in NetHack that could be exploited for privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2020-5253?

NetHack prior to version 3.6.0 was susceptible to a flaw that enabled the malicious manipulation of character escaping in the configuration file, such as .nethackrc, which could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5253

The vulnerability in NetHack could allow attackers to escalate their privileges on the system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5253

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE-2020-5253 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

NetHack versions before 3.6.0 were affected by a security issue that allowed the improper handling of character escaping in configuration files, enabling privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NetHack
Vendor: NetHack
Versions Affected: < 3.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: None

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-5253 in NetHack, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NetHack to version 3.6.0 or newer to apply the patch that fixes this vulnerability.
Review and secure the configuration files, such as .nethackrc, to prevent unauthorized modifications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Educate users on secure configuration practices to mitigate similar privilege escalation risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from NetHack to promptly address any future vulnerabilities.