CVE-2008-0128 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
The SingleSignOn Valve (org.apache.catalina.authenticator.SingleSignOn) in Apache Tomcat before 5.5.21 does not set the secure flag for the JSESSIONIDSSO cookie in an https session, which can cause the cookie to be sent in http requests and make it easier for remote attackers to capture this cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0128 represents a critical security flaw in the SingleSignOn Valve implementation within Apache Tomcat versions prior to 5.5.21. This issue specifically affects the handling of session cookies in secure HTTPS environments where the application should enforce strict security measures to protect user authentication tokens. The vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of cookie attributes that govern how session identifiers are transmitted between client and server components.
The technical flaw manifests in the SingleSignOn Valve's failure to properly set the secure flag on the JSESSIONIDSSO cookie when establishing sessions over HTTPS connections. This omission creates a dangerous scenario where session identifiers that should remain protected within encrypted channels can be transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections. The secure flag serves as a critical security mechanism that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over encrypted connections, preventing interception through man-in-the-middle attacks or network eavesdropping. Without this flag, the cookie becomes vulnerable to exposure in network traffic that may be monitored or manipulated by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking risks to encompass broader authentication compromise scenarios. Remote attackers who can intercept network traffic can capture the JSESSIONIDSSO cookie and use it to impersonate legitimate users within the application. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Apache Tomcat serves as a central authentication point for multiple applications, as the compromised session token could potentially provide access to multiple systems or services that rely on the same single sign-on mechanism. The risk is exacerbated in public or untrusted network environments where traffic interception is more likely.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which addresses the insufficiently protected credentials through the use of insecure cookies, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through network sniffing. Organizations utilizing affected Apache Tomcat versions face significant exposure to session hijacking attacks, especially in environments where HTTPS is not properly enforced or where mixed HTTP/HTTPS content exists. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cookie security configuration in web application frameworks and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication mechanisms.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Apache Tomcat version 5.5.21 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly implement the secure flag for SSO cookies. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security reviews of their cookie configurations, ensuring that all session cookies, particularly those used in authentication contexts, are properly marked with the secure flag. Network administrators should also implement proper HTTP to HTTPS redirection policies and consider implementing additional security measures such as HttpOnly flags for enhanced protection against cross-site scripting attacks that could further exploit compromised session tokens.