CVE-2020-15259 – CVE-2020-15259 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery ... (How to Fix)

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-15259?

1. Backup current configuration. 2. Stop the ad-ldap-connector service. 3. Update to version 5.0.13 or later using your package manager or manual installation. 4. Restart the service. 5. Verify the update was successful.

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-15259?

CVE-2020-15259 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (HIGH). CVE-2020-15259 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the ad-ldap-connector admin panel that could allow attackers to execute remote code or steal confidential data. Users are affected if they run ad-ldap-connector versions 5.0.12 or earlier with the admin console enabled and visit malicious web pages while authenticated to the admin panel. The vulnerability occurs because the admin panel lacks CSRF protection mechanisms.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2020-15259 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the ad-ldap-connector admin panel that could allow attackers to execute remote code or steal confidential data. Users are affected if they run ad-ldap-connector versions 5.0.12 or earlier with the admin console enabled and visit malicious web pages while authenticated to the admin panel. The vulnerability occurs because the admin panel lacks CSRF protection mechanisms.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

auth0 ad-ldap-connector

Versions: <=5.0.12

Operating Systems: All platforms running ad-ldap-connector

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with the admin console enabled. If admin console is disabled or not accessed while browsing other sites, risk is reduced.

📦 What is this software?

Ad\/ldap Connector by Auth0

View all CVEs affecting Ad\/ldap Connector →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized configuration changes, credential theft, or data leakage from the LDAP connector.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper network segmentation, access controls, and updated software are in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires the victim to be authenticated to the admin panel and visit a malicious webpage. CSRF attacks are well-understood and easy to weaponize.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 5.0.13

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/auth0/ad-ldap-connector/security/advisories/GHSA-vx5q-cp9v-427v

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Backup current configuration. 2. Stop the ad-ldap-connector service. 3. Update to version 5.0.13 or later using your package manager or manual installation. 4. Restart the service. 5. Verify the update was successful.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Admin Console

all

If the admin console is not required, disable it to eliminate the attack surface.

Edit configuration to disable admin panel or remove admin console access

Network Segmentation

all

Restrict access to the admin console to trusted networks only.

Configure firewall rules to limit access to admin console IP/port

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict browser isolation policies for admin console access
Use separate browser profiles or machines for admin tasks and general web browsing

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check the ad-ldap-connector version. If version is 5.0.12 or earlier and admin console is enabled, the system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

ad-ldap-connector --version or check package manager

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version is 5.0.13 or later and test CSRF protection mechanisms in the admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected configuration changes in admin panel logs
Unauthorized access attempts to admin endpoints

Network Indicators:

CSRF attack patterns in web traffic to admin console

SIEM Query:

source="ad-ldap-connector" AND (event="config_change" OR event="admin_access")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-15259

CVSS v3 Score: 8.1 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CWE: CWE-352

Published: November 6, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://github.com/auth0/ad-ldap-connector/commit/8b793631ec5ecacf63ff3ece23231a9e138ae911 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/auth0/ad-ldap-connector/security/advisories/GHSA-vx5q-cp9v-427v Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/auth0/ad-ldap-connector/commit/8b793631ec5ecacf63ff3ece23231a9e138ae911 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/auth0/ad-ldap-connector/security/advisories/GHSA-vx5q-cp9v-427v Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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