CVE-2007-4203 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in Mambo 4.6.2 CMS allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions by setting the Cookie parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4203 represents a critical session fixation flaw within the Mambo 4.6.2 content management system, which operates under the broader category of web application security weaknesses classified under CWE-384. This vulnerability specifically targets the session management mechanisms of the CMS, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the authentication flow and assume control of user sessions. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly regenerate session identifiers upon successful authentication, leaving the original session token unchanged and potentially usable by an attacker who has already obtained it. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the session cookie parameter to maintain persistent access to user accounts, effectively bypassing the intended authentication controls.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves an attacker who can either obtain a valid session cookie from a victim or predict a session identifier, then manipulate the web application to use that specific session token. In the context of Mambo 4.6.2, the session fixation occurs because the system does not implement proper session regeneration practices, which is a fundamental security control that should be enforced during the authentication process according to industry best practices. When a user logs into the system, the application should invalidate the previous session identifier and generate a new, unpredictable session token to prevent attackers from reusing session cookies obtained through various means such as cross-site scripting attacks, man-in-the-middle interception, or simple cookie theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete account compromise and potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary actions within the CMS environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and persistence tactics, where adversaries can maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The consequences include unauthorized content modification, data theft, user impersonation, and potential lateral movement within the network if the compromised CMS instance has access to other systems. Organizations using Mambo 4.6.2 are particularly vulnerable because the version predates many modern security enhancements, and the session management implementation lacks the robustness required to defend against such attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and session handling, which are core requirements for secure web application development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4203 should focus on implementing proper session management practices that align with established security standards and frameworks. The most effective immediate fix involves ensuring that the CMS regenerates session identifiers upon successful authentication, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. This approach corresponds to the security principle of session binding and is consistent with recommendations found in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. Organizations should also implement additional controls such as secure cookie attributes including HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags to prevent cookie-related attacks. The remediation process requires updating to a patched version of Mambo or migrating to a more modern CMS platform that properly implements session management controls. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious session-related activities and regular security assessments to identify potential session management weaknesses in web applications, as session fixation vulnerabilities often indicate broader security implementation gaps that may expose other attack vectors within the application stack.