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CVE Record

CVE-2020-36659: In Apache::Session::Browseable before 1.3.6, validity of the X.509 certificate is not checked by default wh...

In Apache::Session::Browseable before 1.3.6, validity of the X.509 certificate is not checked by default when connecting to remote LDAP backends, because the default configuration of the Net::LDAPS module for Perl is used. NOTE: this can, for example, be fixed in conjunction with the CVE-2020-16093 fix.

HighCVSS 8.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Systems using Apache::Session::Browseable with remote LDAP over LDAPS before 1.3.6 may trust a TLS connection without validating the server certificate. An attacker able to interfere with network traffic could impersonate LDAP and expose or alter session data. The issue is high impact but requires a suitable network position or similar conditions.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or security-sensitive applications that store sessions in remote LDAP. The main business risk is loss or manipulation of session data if an attacker can intercept LDAPS traffic. Treat as high priority where LDAP backs authentication or privileged workflows.

Technical view

CVE-2020-36659 is CWE-295 in Apache::Session::Browseable before 1.3.6. By relying on Net::LDAPS defaults, certificate validity was not checked by default for remote LDAP backends. CVSS 3.1 is 8.1, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact and high attack complexity.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Perl applications use Apache::Session::Browseable versions before 1.3.6 with remote LDAP backends over LDAPS. The bundle does not identify CPEs or broader product packaging beyond Debian's libapache-session-browseable-perl update.

Exploitation context

No source in the bundle states active exploitation, and CISA KEV is false. Practical exploitation would require an attacker to influence or intercept the LDAPS path so certificate validation failure matters; the CVSS vector marks attack complexity high.

Researcher notes

The public bundle is narrow: it names Apache::Session::Browseable before 1.3.6, CWE-295, the GitHub fix commit, and Debian LTS update. It does not provide exploit reports, detailed affected CPEs, or a standalone mitigation beyond upgrade and checking vendor guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Apache::Session::Browseable to 1.3.6 or later where applicable.
  • Apply the Debian libapache-session-browseable-perl security update if using affected Debian packages.
  • Review vendor guidance for CVE-2020-36659 and related CVE-2020-16093 configuration changes.
  • Confirm LDAPS connections validate certificate chains and host identity.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Perl applications using Apache::Session::Browseable with LDAP or LDAPS backends.
  • Check installed Apache::Session::Browseable or libapache-session-browseable-perl package versions.
  • Review application configuration for remote LDAP session storage over TLS.
  • Verify runtime LDAPS client settings require valid X.509 certificates.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-295: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-36659 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.25.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-36659Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-295

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.