CVE-2020-7961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Liferay Portal prior to 7.2.1 CE GA2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via JSON web services (JSONWS).

Understanding CVE-2020-7961

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Liferay Portal that enables remote code execution through JSON web services.

What is CVE-2020-7961?

Deserialization of untrusted data in Liferay Portal before version 7.2.1 CE GA2 can be exploited by attackers to run arbitrary code using JSON web services.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7961

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious code on the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7961

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of deserialization of untrusted data in Liferay Portal, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions prior to 7.2.1 CE GA2 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage JSON web services to send malicious data to the portal, triggering the deserialization flaw and executing unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7961 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Liferay Portal to version 7.2.1 CE GA2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation to prevent malicious data injection.
Regularly audit and update security configurations to address emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Liferay to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-7961.