CVE-2020-5289 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In Elide before 4.5.14, a vulnerability exists where read permissions are not enforced for client-provided filter expressions, potentially allowing an attacker to reconstruct the value of an inaccessible field.

Understanding CVE-2020-5289

This CVE involves improper authorization in Elide, leading to a medium-severity vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-5289?

In Elide before version 4.5.14, attackers can exploit a flaw to guess and reconstruct the value of a model field they do not have access to, by manipulating filter expressions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5289

The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive data, posing a risk to confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5289

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

Vulnerability Description

Attackers can guess and reconstruct the value of an inaccessible field by constructing filter expressions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Elide
Vendor: Yahoo
Versions Affected: < 4.5.14

Exploitation Mechanism

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

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-5289 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Elide to version 4.5.14 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict client-provided filter expressions to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper authorization mechanisms to control access to sensitive data.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.