CVE-2020-7042 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-7042, a vulnerability in openfortivpn 1.11.0 affecting certificate validation with OpenSSL 1.0.2 or later. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An issue was discovered in openfortivpn 1.11.0 when used with OpenSSL 1.0.2 or later. The vulnerability in tunnel.c mishandles certificate validation due to hostname check operating on uninitialized memory.
Understanding CVE-2020-7042
This CVE involves a vulnerability in openfortivpn that affects the certificate validation process when used with specific versions of OpenSSL.
What is CVE-2020-7042?
The issue arises from the mishandling of certificate validation in the tunnel.c component, leading to potential acceptance of malformed certificates.
The Impact of CVE-2020-7042
The vulnerability results in a situation where only a malformed certificate may be accepted, while valid certificates are never accepted, potentially exposing systems to security risks.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-7042
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in openfortivpn 1.11.0 allows for the acceptance of only malformed certificates, while valid certificates are not accepted due to improper certificate validation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: openfortivpn 1.11.0 when used with OpenSSL 1.0.2 or later
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability occurs due to the hostname check operating on uninitialized memory, leading to the incorrect validation of certificates.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7042 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update openfortivpn to a patched version that addresses the certificate validation issue.
- Consider using alternative VPN solutions temporarily if immediate patching is not feasible.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Implement secure certificate validation practices to enhance overall system security.
Patching and Updates
- Apply the latest patches and updates provided by openfortivpn to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.