CVE-2007-1652 in OpenID
Summary
by MITRE
OpenID allows remote attackers to forcibly log a user into an OpenID enabled site, divulge the user s personal information to this site, and add it site to the trusted sites list via a crafted web page, related to cached tokens.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1652 represents a critical security flaw in OpenID authentication systems that enables malicious actors to perform unauthorized user impersonation and data exfiltration. This weakness specifically exploits the handling of cached authentication tokens within OpenID implementations, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the authentication flow without user consent. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of token caching mechanisms that should normally provide secure session management but instead become attack vectors for unauthorized access.
The technical flaw resides in how OpenID providers cache authentication tokens and handle user sessions across different websites. When a user authenticates with an OpenID provider, the system typically stores a token that represents the user's authenticated state. In vulnerable implementations, these cached tokens can be manipulated or forged by attackers who craft malicious web pages that trigger unauthorized authentication flows. The attack leverages the trust relationships between OpenID providers and relying parties, allowing attackers to force authentication into sites they control while simultaneously harvesting user information. This occurs because the cached token validation process fails to properly verify the authenticity of the requesting party or the integrity of the token itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive user impersonation and data disclosure. Attackers can force users into logging into malicious sites, where they can then extract personal information, credentials, or other sensitive data that the user has previously shared with legitimate OpenID-enabled services. Additionally, the vulnerability allows attackers to add malicious sites to the user's trusted sites list, creating a persistent backdoor that can be exploited repeatedly. This represents a sophisticated form of session hijacking that bypasses traditional authentication mechanisms and undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the OpenID protocol.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several established threat patterns and attack methodologies. It corresponds to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in authentication systems, and demonstrates characteristics similar to those described in ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential harvesting through social engineering. The attack vector exploits trust relationships within the OpenID ecosystem, making it particularly dangerous because users typically trust the authentication process and are unaware of the manipulation occurring. Organizations implementing OpenID authentication must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader authentication security strategy, particularly when evaluating the security of token caching and session management implementations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper token validation, secure session handling, and robust verification mechanisms that prevent unauthorized manipulation of authentication flows.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper token validation mechanisms that verify the authenticity of authentication requests and prevent manipulation of cached tokens. Organizations should ensure that OpenID implementations properly validate the originating site of authentication requests and implement additional security measures such as secure token storage, proper session timeout handling, and regular token rotation. The security architecture should include mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized additions to trusted site lists, while also implementing proper access controls that prevent forced authentication into malicious sites. Additionally, regular security testing and code reviews focused on authentication flows, token handling, and session management should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in OpenID implementations.