CVE-2002-1152 in KDE
Summary
by MITRE
Konqueror in KDE 3.0 through 3.0.2 does not properly detect the "secure" flag in an HTTP cookie, which could cause Konqueror to send the cookie across an unencrypted channel, which could allow remote attackers to steal the cookie via sniffing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1152 represents a critical security flaw in the Konqueror web browser component of KDE 3.0 through 3.0.2 versions. This issue stems from improper handling of HTTP cookie security attributes, specifically the secure flag that is designed to indicate when a cookie should only be transmitted over encrypted connections. The flaw allows malicious actors to intercept sensitive authentication data and session information that should remain protected within encrypted channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in Konqueror's failure to properly validate the secure attribute of HTTP cookies before transmitting them across network connections. When a web server sets a cookie with the secure flag, it explicitly instructs the browser to only send that cookie over HTTPS connections, ensuring that sensitive data remains encrypted during transmission. However, Konqueror's implementation did not adequately check for this flag, resulting in cookies being transmitted even when the connection was unencrypted over HTTP.
This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions by creating an attack surface that allows for man-in-the-middle attacks and packet sniffing operations. Remote attackers could exploit this weakness to capture authentication cookies and session tokens that would normally be protected by SSL/TLS encryption, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, requiring no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond basic network monitoring capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass potential credential theft and unauthorized system access. Users accessing websites that utilize secure cookies for authentication would be at risk of having their session data compromised, especially when navigating between secure and non-secure pages within the same domain. This issue affects the fundamental security model of web browsers and undermines the trust model that relies on proper implementation of security protocols.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and improper handling of security attributes. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of KDE 3.0.3 or later, implementing additional network security controls, and educating users about the risks of accessing sensitive websites over unencrypted connections. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential cookie interception attempts and ensure that all sensitive web applications properly enforce SSL/TLS requirements for authentication cookies.