CVE-2005-4731 in Pear Html Quickform Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The Next action in PEAR HTML_QuickForm_Controller 1.0.4 includes the SID in the URL even when session.use_only_cookies is configured, which allows remote attackers to obtain the SID via an HTTP Referer field and possibly other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4731 represents a critical session management flaw within the PEAR HTML_QuickForm_Controller component version 1.0.4. This issue stems from improper handling of session identifiers when the PHP configuration parameter session.use_only_cookies is enabled, creating a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this component for form handling and user interaction. The flaw manifests when the application generates URLs containing session identifiers, even though the system is configured to use only cookies for session management, thereby undermining the intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the inclusion of the session identifier (SID) in URL parameters when generating navigation links or form actions within the QuickForm controller. When session.use_only_cookies is properly configured, PHP should prevent session identifiers from being transmitted through URLs, as this practice creates potential exposure points for session hijacking attacks. However, the PEAR component fails to respect this configuration setting, resulting in session tokens being embedded in URLs that are subsequently transmitted through HTTP headers, particularly the Referer field, which can be accessed by remote attackers. This behavior directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-1004 which addresses insecure session management practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1588.001 related to obtaining credentials through web application attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially capture session identifiers through various attack vectors including but not limited to the HTTP Referer header, cross-site request forgery attacks, and man-in-the-middle scenarios. When attackers can extract session identifiers from URLs, they gain the ability to impersonate legitimate users and potentially access protected application resources, leading to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and complete account compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background, without alerting application administrators to the presence of session tokens in URLs, and can persist across multiple user sessions, creating long-term exposure windows for attackers. The flaw essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of keeping session identifiers confidential and prevents the proper implementation of secure session management practices that are critical for maintaining application integrity and user privacy.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through updating to a patched version of the PEAR HTML_QuickForm_Controller component, as the original vulnerable code cannot be effectively secured through configuration changes alone. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including monitoring for session identifiers in URL parameters, implementing proper input validation to prevent URL parameter injection, and ensuring that all web applications using this component undergo thorough security testing. The remediation process should include verification that session.use_only_cookies is properly enforced throughout the application stack and that no URL rewriting or parameter passing mechanisms inadvertently expose session identifiers. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block requests containing session identifiers in URL parameters, while also ensuring that proper logging and monitoring mechanisms are in place to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and components, as it demonstrates how even minor implementation flaws in widely-used libraries can create significant security risks for entire application ecosystems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and vulnerability management programs that address both custom code and third-party dependencies.