CVE-2020-28949 is a high-severity vulnerability found in PEAR Archive_Tar, a component widely used for file archiving in PHP applications. This vulnerability allows for stream-wrapper attacks due to insufficient filename sanitization, specifically targeting phar formats. Attackers may leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized file operations, posing significant risks to organizations utilizing affected versions.
The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates that this vulnerability has a high impact potential. The ability for attackers to exploit this vulnerability is further amplified by the local attack vector, which requires user interaction, making it crucial for organizations to implement immediate remediation measures.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized file manipulation, data breaches, and potential system compromise. Given the widespread use of PEAR Archive_Tar in various applications, the urgency for defenders to address this vulnerability cannot be overstated.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Updates have been made available as per vendor instructions, and all users of affected versions are urged to upgrade without delay. Failure to act could result in serious security incidents.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is identified as a filename sanitization issue in Archive_Tar, affecting versions up to 1.4.10. Specifically, this vulnerability arises from the fact that filename sanitization is only implemented to block phar attacks, leaving other stream-wrapper attacks unaddressed.
The CVSS score of 7.8 reflects the high severity of this vulnerability, categorized under the following metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Organizations utilizing PEAR Archive_Tar in their applications, especially those running on Debian or Fedora systems, must take note of the publication date of this vulnerability on November 19, 2020, and act accordingly to mitigate risks.
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is caused by improper handling of stream-wrapper filenames, allowing attackers to exploit this failure to overwrite files. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have access to the system, and it has a low attack complexity, making it easier for attackers to execute.
The attacker does not require any privileges to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is necessary, as the victim must open or execute the manipulated file. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, emphasizing the critical nature of this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment of this vulnerability in real-world scenarios poses a significant risk. Given the prevalence of PEAR Archive_Tar in various PHP applications, its exploitation could lead to unauthorized data manipulation or loss. The potential blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any application that relies on the affected versions of Archive_Tar.
Organizations must assess their risk based on the CVSS score of 7.8 and consider the implications of known exploitation patterns. According to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, this vulnerability has been added, indicating its relevance in ongoing threat landscapes.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycles to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The EPSS score of 0.93364 indicates a high probability of exploitation in the wild, making timely remediation essential.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of Archive_Tar prior to 1.4.12, along with specific versions of Debian Linux (9.0 and 10.0), Fedora (32 to 35), and Drupal (7.0 to 7.75, 8.0.0 to 8.9.10, 8.8.0 to 8.8.12, 9.0.0 to 9.0.9).
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must apply updates as per vendor instructions. Users should upgrade to versions of Archive_Tar that are 1.4.12 or later. If immediate patching is not feasible, implementing file access controls and user permissions can help reduce the attack surface.
Organizations may also consider engaging in penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file access patterns, especially those involving the Archive_Tar component. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected file creation or manipulation, should be investigated promptly.
Network signatures associated with file manipulation activities can also serve as indicators of compromise. Regular audits of system configurations and user permissions may help identify potential weaknesses.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2020-28949 lies in its reflection of broader challenges in secure coding practices, particularly regarding user input handling and filename sanitization. Organizations must prioritize secure software development methodologies to mitigate similar vulnerabilities proactively.
This vulnerability represents a trend of increasing exploitation of filename manipulation in archiving utilities, underscoring the need for security teams to adopt holistic application security measures. The lessons from this incident should inform development practices and vulnerability management strategies.
Organizations are encouraged to implement comprehensive security assessments, including application security assessments, and engage in ongoing training for developers to enhance their awareness of secure coding practices.
In conclusion, CVE-2020-28949 highlights the necessity for vigilance and proactive measures in securing application components against evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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