CVE-2020-7904 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2019.3, some Maven repositories were accessed via HTTP instead of HTTPS.

Understanding CVE-2020-7904

In this CVE, JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before version 2019.3 had a vulnerability related to Maven repositories being accessed over HTTP instead of HTTPS.

What is CVE-2020-7904?

CVE-2020-7904 is a security vulnerability in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA that allowed Maven repositories to be accessed insecurely via HTTP instead of the more secure HTTPS protocol.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7904

This vulnerability could potentially expose sensitive data transmitted between the IntelliJ IDEA IDE and Maven repositories to interception by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7904

In-depth technical information about the vulnerability is as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The issue in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA allowed Maven repositories to be accessed over unencrypted HTTP connections, posing a security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA
Versions affected: Before 2019.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by intercepting traffic between the IntelliJ IDEA IDE and Maven repositories when accessed over HTTP.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-7904, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA to version 2019.3 or newer to ensure Maven repositories are accessed securely over HTTPS.
Avoid accessing Maven repositories over unencrypted HTTP connections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update your IDE and associated tools to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices and use secure communication protocols to protect data transmission.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from JetBrains to promptly apply patches and fixes for any identified vulnerabilities.