CVE-2007-6546 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
RunCMS before 1.6.1 uses a predictable session id, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions via a modified id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6546 affects RunCMS versions prior to 1.6.1 and represents a critical session management weakness that directly enables session hijacking attacks. This issue stems from the application's use of predictable session identifiers, a flaw that fundamentally undermines the security of user authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate session identifiers and gain unauthorized access to user sessions, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should protect user accounts and sensitive data.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of session management within the RunCMS framework. When session identifiers are predictable, attackers can generate valid session tokens without needing to authenticate properly, simply by guessing or calculating the next expected session ID. This predictable pattern typically occurs when the application uses weak random number generation algorithms or deterministic methods for session ID creation, making it feasible for malicious actors to construct valid session tokens through mathematical calculation or pattern recognition. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of insecure random number generators and predictable session identifiers in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully hijacks a session can impersonate legitimate users, access restricted content, modify data, and potentially gain administrative privileges within the CMS environment. This risk is particularly severe in web applications where session identifiers are transmitted over unencrypted connections or stored in insecure locations, amplifying the attack surface and making exploitation more straightforward. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for broader attacks within the application ecosystem, as compromised sessions may provide access to additional system resources and user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust session management practices that ensure session identifiers are generated using cryptographically secure random number generators. Organizations should upgrade to RunCMS 1.6.1 or later versions that address this specific weakness, while also implementing additional security controls such as session regeneration after login, secure session cookie attributes, and proper session timeout mechanisms. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening the random number generation algorithms used for session ID creation, implementing proper entropy sources, and ensuring that session identifiers are sufficiently long and unpredictable. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential session hijacking attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling compromised sessions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management in web applications and highlights the need for adherence to established security standards and best practices.