CVE-2020-7664 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In June 2020, CVE-2020-7664 was published, highlighting a vulnerability in the package github.com/unknwon/cae/zip that could allow an attacker to manipulate files system-wide.

Understanding CVE-2020-7664

This CVE identifies a security issue in the ExtractTo function of the github.com/unknwon/cae/zip package.

What is CVE-2020-7664?

The vulnerability in CVE-2020-7664 arises from insecure handling of file paths in zip archives, enabling attackers to insert or modify files across the system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7664

The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 7.5. It poses a significant risk to the integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7664

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The ExtractTo function in github.com/unknwon/cae/zip fails to properly escape file paths in zip archives containing "..", allowing unauthorized file manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Package: github.com/unknwon/cae/zip
Versions: All versions with the ExtractTo function

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious zip archives with specially crafted file paths to overwrite or add files system-wide.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7664 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected package to a secure version if available
Implement input validation to prevent path traversal attacks

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update dependencies for known vulnerabilities
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify similar issues

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for the github.com/unknwon/cae/zip package to address this vulnerability.