CVE-2004-0462 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
The built-in web servers for multiple networking devices do not set the Secure attribute for sensitive cookies in HTTPS sessions, which could cause the user agent to send those cookies in plaintext over an HTTP session with the same server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0462 represents a critical security flaw in the implementation of web server components across various networking devices. This issue stems from improper cookie security configuration where sensitive authentication tokens are transmitted without the Secure attribute flag. The flaw affects devices that utilize built-in web servers for administrative interfaces, including routers, switches, firewalls, and other network infrastructure equipment. When users access these devices via HTTPS connections, the web server fails to properly enforce cookie security policies, creating a dangerous condition where session tokens can be exposed to potential interception.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the HTTP cookie management level within the web server software. The Secure attribute is a critical flag that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over encrypted HTTPS connections and never over unencrypted HTTP connections. Without this attribute set, cookies containing sensitive session information become vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and cross-protocol cookie leakage. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices that handle authentication through cookies, where the web server component fails to validate or enforce the proper security attributes for session tokens. This flaw directly violates fundamental web security practices and represents a violation of the principle of least privilege in cookie security management.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0462 extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. When an attacker intercepts network traffic between a user and the affected device, they can capture the insecure cookies and potentially gain unauthorized administrative access to the network equipment. This vulnerability enables session hijacking attacks where attackers can impersonate legitimate users and perform administrative functions without proper authentication. The risk is particularly severe for network infrastructure devices since administrative access can provide complete control over network traffic, firewall rules, routing configurations, and other critical network functions. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under credential access and privilege escalation categories, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in network security infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-614, which specifically addresses the improper storage of sensitive information in cookies, and relates to the broader category of insecure cookie handling practices. The flaw demonstrates poor security configuration management and inadequate input validation within the web server implementation. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face potential exposure to unauthorized network access, data breaches, and complete compromise of their network infrastructure. The issue represents a failure in the security by design principles, where basic web security controls are not properly implemented in the device's web server component. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from vendors, manual configuration of cookie security attributes, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and implementation of additional authentication controls such as two-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
The long-term implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and network device software development. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights can create significant security risks in network infrastructure, where the compromise of a single device can affect entire network domains. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments of network equipment, proper patch management procedures, and security configuration baselines that enforce proper cookie security attributes. The vulnerability also underscores the need for security awareness training for network administrators and the importance of conducting regular security audits of network infrastructure to identify and remediate similar configuration issues that may exist in other security controls.