CVE-2020-7046 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Dovecot 2.3.9 before 2.3.9.3 mishandles truncated UTF-8 data in command parameters, potentially leading to an infinite loop in submission-login. This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity issue.

Understanding CVE-2020-7046

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Dovecot's lib-smtp in submission-login and lmtp.

What is CVE-2020-7046?

CVE-2020-7046 is a security flaw in Dovecot 2.3.9 before 2.3.9.3 that mishandles truncated UTF-8 data in command parameters, allowing unauthenticated attackers to trigger an infinite loop in submission-login.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7046

The vulnerability has a high impact on availability, with a CVSS base score of 7.5, signifying a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7046

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Dovecot 2.3.9 before 2.3.9.3 allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger an infinite loop in submission-login by mishandling truncated UTF-8 data in command parameters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Dovecot 2.3.9 before 2.3.9.3
Systems using Dovecot with the specified versions are vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7046 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Dovecot to version 2.3.9.3 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation of the issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Dovecot and apply patches as soon as they are available.