CVE-2020-28971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered on Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices before 5.06.115. A NAS Admin authentication bypass vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated user to execute privileged commands on the device via a cookie due to insufficient validation of URI paths.

Understanding CVE-2020-28971

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices that could lead to unauthorized execution of privileged commands.

What is CVE-2020-28971?

The CVE-2020-28971 vulnerability involves an authentication bypass issue in Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices, enabling unauthorized users to run privileged commands through a cookie.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28971

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated users to execute privileged commands on affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28971

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices before 5.06.115 allows unauthenticated users to bypass NAS Admin authentication and run privileged commands via a cookie.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices
Affected Versions: Before 5.06.115

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by sending crafted requests to the device, leveraging insufficient validation of URI paths to execute unauthorized commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28971 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected devices to version 5.06.115 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and firmware updates provided by Western Digital to address the vulnerability and enhance device security.