CVE-2006-7201 in RSA Security SiteKey
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RSA Security SiteKey does not set the secure qualifier on the SiteKey Flash token (aka the PassMark Flash shared object), which might allow remote attackers to obtain the token via HTTP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-7201 affects the EMC RSA Security SiteKey implementation, specifically targeting the secure transmission of authentication tokens within web applications. This flaw resides in the PassMark Flash shared object component that serves as a client-side authentication mechanism. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of HTTP versus HTTPS connections, where the security-sensitive token is transmitted without proper secure flag enforcement. When users access web applications protected by RSA SiteKey authentication, the system fails to ensure that the Flash token is only transmitted over encrypted channels, creating a potential avenue for man-in-the-middle attacks and credential interception.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of secure cookie attributes within the Flash token implementation. According to CWE-614, this represents a weakness in the secure transmission of sensitive data through the use of insecure communication channels. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication flow where the PassMark Flash shared object is designed to store and transmit authentication tokens. When an application uses HTTP instead of HTTPS, the token can be transmitted in cleartext, making it susceptible to network sniffing and packet analysis. This issue directly violates security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and OWASP Top Ten 2017, particularly concerning the protection of sensitive authentication data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire authentication framework of applications relying on RSA SiteKey. Attackers can exploit this weakness by positioning themselves between the user and the web server, intercepting the unencrypted token during transmission. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, account takeover, and unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the client-side component level, making it difficult for administrators to detect and remediate through traditional server-side security measures. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers can use the compromised token to establish persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-7201 require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols across all applications utilizing RSA SiteKey authentication. Organizations must enforce mandatory HTTPS usage for all authentication endpoints, ensuring that the secure flag is properly set on all cookies and tokens transmitted between client and server. The implementation should include strict enforcement of SSL/TLS protocols with strong cipher suites and certificate validation. Security patches from EMC RSA should be applied immediately to address the underlying flaw in the PassMark Flash shared object implementation. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on any attempts to transmit authentication tokens over unencrypted channels. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should verify that the secure flag is properly enforced and that all authentication components are operating within encrypted environments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.