CVE-2020-27978 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-27978, a denial of service flaw in Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x versions before 3.4.6, allowing remote attackers to exhaust Java heap. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x before 3.4.6 has a denial of service flaw that can lead to Java heap exhaustion due to object creation in the Java Servlet container session.
Understanding CVE-2020-27978
This CVE involves a vulnerability in Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x versions before 3.4.6, allowing a remote unauthenticated attacker to trigger a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2020-27978?
CVE-2020-27978 is a vulnerability in Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x versions before 3.4.6 that enables a remote unauthenticated attacker to exhaust the Java heap by creating objects in the Java Servlet container session.
The Impact of CVE-2020-27978
The vulnerability can result in a denial of service condition, causing a login flow to exhaust the Java heap, impacting the availability of the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-27978
Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x before 3.4.6 is susceptible to a denial of service vulnerability due to the following:
Vulnerability Description
A flaw in the software allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to trigger Java heap exhaustion by creating objects in the Java Servlet container session.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Shibboleth Identify Provider 3.x
- Versions affected: Versions before 3.4.6
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by an unauthenticated attacker to exhaust the Java heap, leading to a denial of service condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-27978, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update to version 3.4.6 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement network security measures to restrict access to the affected system.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and patch software vulnerabilities to prevent exploitation.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and updates provided by Shibboleth to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.