CVE-2020-8448 : Security Advisory and Response

OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to a NULL pointer dereference in the server component responsible for log analysis.

Understanding CVE-2020-8448

In this CVE, a local user can exploit the OSSEC-HIDS server component to cause a denial of service by sending crafted messages to the analysisd UNIX domain socket.

What is CVE-2020-8448?

OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0 is susceptible to a denial of service attack through a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the ossec-analysisd server component.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8448

This vulnerability allows a local user to disrupt the log analysis functionality of OSSEC-HIDS, potentially leading to service unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8448

OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0 is affected by a denial of service vulnerability in the server component responsible for log analysis.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a NULL pointer dereference in the ossec-analysisd server component, triggered by specially crafted messages sent to the analysisd UNIX domain socket.

Affected Systems and Versions

OSSEC-HIDS versions 2.7 through 3.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

A local user can exploit this vulnerability by sending maliciously crafted messages directly to the analysisd UNIX domain socket.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-8448, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement firewall rules to restrict access to the affected component.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update OSSEC-HIDS to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Enforce the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OSSEC-HIDS promptly to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.