CVE-2020-5521 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The kantan netprint App for iOS 2.0.2 and earlier by Fuji Xerox Co.,Ltd. is vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks due to a lack of X.509 certificate verification.

Understanding CVE-2020-5521

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the kantan netprint App for iOS versions 2.0.2 and earlier, allowing attackers to spoof servers and access sensitive data.

What is CVE-2020-5521?

The CVE-2020-5521 vulnerability arises from the app's failure to validate X.509 certificates from servers, enabling malicious actors to intercept communications and impersonate legitimate servers.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5521

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows attackers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive information transmitted through the app.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5521

The following technical details outline the specifics of the CVE-2020-5521 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The kantan netprint App for iOS 2.0.2 and earlier lacks proper X.509 certificate validation, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: kantan netprint App for iOS
Vendor: Fuji Xerox Co.,Ltd.
Versions Affected: 2.0.2 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by presenting a crafted certificate to the app, tricking it into accepting the malicious certificate as valid and allowing interception of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-5521 and enhance security, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the kantan netprint App for iOS to the latest version that includes proper certificate validation.
Avoid using unsecured networks when transmitting sensitive information through the app.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to ensure proper certificate validation in all applications.
Regularly educate users on the risks of using unsecured networks and the importance of verifying server certificates.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the kantan netprint App for iOS and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.