CVE-2020-7669 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2020-7669 article provides insights into a vulnerability affecting the package github.com/u-root/u-root/pkg/tarutil, leading to arbitrary file write via archive extraction (Zip Slip).

Understanding CVE-2020-7669

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2020-7669 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-7669?

CVE-2020-7669 is a vulnerability that impacts all versions of the package github.com/u-root/u-root/pkg/tarutil. It is susceptible to both leading and non-leading relative path traversal attacks during tar file extraction.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7669

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 7.5. It allows attackers to perform arbitrary file write operations via archive extraction, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7669

This section outlines the technical aspects of CVE-2020-7669.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in github.com/u-root/u-root/pkg/tarutil enables attackers to exploit leading and non-leading relative path traversal vulnerabilities during tar file extraction, facilitating arbitrary file write attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Package: github.com/u-root/u-root/pkg/tarutil
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions with a custom version type of 0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through malicious tar files containing crafted paths, allowing attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss mitigation strategies to address CVE-2020-7669.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected package to a secure version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent path traversal attacks during file extraction.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update dependencies to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to the package and promptly apply patches released by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.