CVE-2020-8663 : Security Advisory and Response

Envoy version 1.14.2, 1.13.2, 1.12.4, or earlier may exhaust file descriptors and/or memory when accepting too many connections.

Understanding CVE-2020-8663

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Envoy versions that can lead to resource exhaustion when handling excessive connections.

What is CVE-2020-8663?

Envoy versions 1.14.2, 1.13.2, 1.12.4, or older are susceptible to depleting file descriptors and memory due to an issue with connection management.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8663

The vulnerability can result in denial of service (DoS) conditions, causing affected systems to become unresponsive or crash.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8663

Envoy's vulnerability stems from its inability to handle a large number of connections efficiently.

Vulnerability Description

Envoy versions 1.14.2, 1.13.2, 1.12.4, or earlier may exhaust file descriptors and memory under high connection loads.

Affected Systems and Versions

Envoy versions 1.14.2, 1.13.2, 1.12.4, or earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by establishing a large number of connections to the affected Envoy instances, leading to resource exhaustion.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-8663, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Envoy to a patched version that addresses the resource exhaustion issue.
Monitor system resources to detect any abnormal spikes in file descriptors or memory usage.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement connection rate limiting to prevent excessive connections.
Regularly update and patch Envoy to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Envoy to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.