CVE-2020-7019 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2020-7019 affecting Elasticsearch versions before 7.9.0, allowing unauthorized access to hidden fields during scrolling searches, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
In Elasticsearch before 7.9.0 and 6.8.12, a field disclosure flaw allows leaking hidden fields during scrolling searches with Field Level Security, potentially granting attackers additional permissions.
Understanding CVE-2020-7019
This CVE involves a privilege context switching error (CWE-270) in Elasticsearch versions before 7.9.0.
What is CVE-2020-7019?
A vulnerability in Elasticsearch versions prior to 7.9.0 and 6.8.12 enables unauthorized access to hidden fields during scrolling searches, leading to potential privilege escalation.
The Impact of CVE-2020-7019
Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to restricted index fields, potentially compromising sensitive data and escalating their privileges within the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-7019
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in Elasticsearch versions before 7.9.0 and 6.8.12 allows leaking hidden fields during scrolling searches with Field Level Security, potentially leading to unauthorized access.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Elasticsearch
- Vendor: Elastic
- Versions Affected: Before 7.9.0
Exploitation Mechanism
By running the same query as a more privileged user in a scrolling search, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability to reveal hidden fields and gain unauthorized access.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7019 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Elasticsearch to version 7.9.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement strict access controls and regularly monitor for unauthorized activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Educate users on secure querying practices and the importance of data protection.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.