CVE-2020-7196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

HPE BlueData EPIC Software and HPE Ezmeral Container Platform versions 4.0 and 5.0 are affected by a vulnerability that exposes sensitive Kerberos passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized interception.

Understanding CVE-2020-7196

This CVE involves an insecure method of handling Kerberos passwords in the mentioned software versions, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

What is CVE-2020-7196?

The vulnerability in HPE BlueData EPIC Software and HPE Ezmeral Container Platform versions 4.0 and 5.0 exposes the kdc_admin_password in a source file, making it susceptible to unauthorized interception.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7196

The vulnerability poses a risk of remote disclosure of privileged information, potentially compromising the security and confidentiality of sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7196

The following technical details outline the specifics of the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The affected software versions use an insecure method of handling Kerberos passwords, leading to the exposure of the kdc_admin_password in a source file.

Affected Systems and Versions

BlueData EPIC Software version 4.0 and earlier
HPE Ezmeral Container Platform version 5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows threat actors to intercept and retrieve sensitive Kerberos passwords by accessing the kdc_admin_password in the source file.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-7196, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest patched versions of the affected software.
Implement network segmentation to limit unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations to address potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for personnel to enhance awareness of best practices for handling sensitive information.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the software vendor to remediate the vulnerability.