CVE-2020-7914 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2, an XSLT debugger plugin misconfiguration allows arbitrary file read operations over the network. This issue was fixed in 2019.3.

Understanding CVE-2020-7914

In this CVE, a vulnerability in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2 could potentially lead to unauthorized file read operations over the network.

What is CVE-2020-7914?

The vulnerability in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2 allows an attacker to perform arbitrary file read operations over the network due to a misconfiguration in the XSLT debugger plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7914

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to read sensitive files remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized access to critical information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7914

The technical details of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

XSLT debugger plugin misconfiguration in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2
Versions: All versions prior to 2019.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read files over the network without proper authorization.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-7914, consider the following mitigation and prevention measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA to version 2019.3 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious file read activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and plugins to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement network segmentation to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive files.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from JetBrains to promptly address any new vulnerabilities.