Auth bypass in Mutt

CVE-2020-28896

Mutt before 2.0.2 and NeoMutt before 2020-11-20 did not ensure that $ssl_force_tls was processed if an IMAP server's initial server response was invalid. The connection was not properly closed, and the code could continue attempting to authenticate. This could result in authentication credentials being exposed on an unencrypted connection, or to a machine-in-the-middle.

Vulnerability class: Broken Authentication

EPSS: 0.024 (82.6th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 5.3 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

  • cve@mitre.org (Patch, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
  • cve@mitre.org (Patch, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
  • cve@mitre.org (Patch, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
  • cve@mitre.org (Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC, Release Notes)
  • cve@mitre.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
  • cve@mitre.org (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-28896?
CVE-2020-28896 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Mutt, classified under Improper Authentication. CVSS score: 5.3/10. Published 2020-11-23.
How severe is CVE-2020-28896?
Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.3 out of 10.