CVE-2020-12059 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in Ceph through 13.2.9. A POST request with an invalid tagging XML can crash the RGW process by triggering a NULL pointer exception.

Understanding CVE-2020-12059

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Ceph that can lead to a denial of service by causing a NULL pointer exception.

What is CVE-2020-12059?

CVE-2020-12059 is a vulnerability in Ceph versions up to 13.2.9 that allows an attacker to crash the RGW process through a specific POST request containing invalid tagging XML.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12059

This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service by crashing the RGW process, potentially disrupting Ceph storage operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12059

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Ceph through version 13.2.9 allows a POST request with malformed tagging XML to trigger a NULL pointer exception, leading to a crash in the RGW process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions Affected: All versions up to 13.2.9

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a specially crafted POST request with invalid tagging XML, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to crash the RGW process, causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-12059 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches or updates promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious POST requests that could potentially exploit this issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Ceph installations to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Ceph installations are kept up to date with the latest security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of CVE-2020-12059.