CVE-2008-0915 in IPdiva
Summary
by MITRE
The Mediation server in IPdiva SSL VPN Server 2.2 before 2.2.8.84 and 2.3 before 2.3.2.14 stores the number of remaining allowed login attempts in a cookie, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force attacks by manipulating this cookie s value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0915 affects the IPdiva SSL VPN Server mediation component, specifically versions prior to 2.2.8.84 and 2.3.2.14. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanism that undermines the server's ability to prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability stems from the mediation server's improper handling of login attempt counters, which are stored within client-side cookies rather than being managed securely on the server side. This design decision fundamentally compromises the security model intended to protect against brute force attacks and credential guessing attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mediation server storing the remaining login attempts in a cookie value that is accessible to remote attackers. When a user attempts to authenticate, the server calculates the number of remaining login attempts and embeds this information within a cookie that gets transmitted to the client browser. This cookie value can then be easily modified by an attacker without requiring any server-side interaction or authentication. The flaw directly violates security principles related to authentication state management and demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure credential storage and improper session management, where sensitive authentication state information is exposed to unauthorized parties through client-side storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and enables attackers to conduct systematic brute force attacks against the SSL VPN server without the normal rate limiting protections that should be in place. An attacker can manipulate the cookie value to bypass the intended login attempt restrictions, potentially allowing unlimited login attempts or resetting the counter to arbitrary values. This capability significantly reduces the effectiveness of authentication controls and makes it considerably easier for malicious actors to compromise user accounts through automated credential guessing attacks. The vulnerability creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited repeatedly without detection, as the attacker does not need to perform any server-side reconnaissance or exploit complex attack vectors. This flaw essentially removes the server's ability to enforce reasonable login attempt limits, making the authentication system vulnerable to both automated and manual attack methods.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple brute force attacks and represent a fundamental flaw in the server's authentication architecture. Attackers can manipulate the cookie value to either increase their allowed attempts or completely bypass the authentication limits, creating a scenario where unauthorized access becomes significantly more likely. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate session management, and represents a clear violation of the principle that sensitive authentication data should never be stored in client-side locations where it can be easily modified. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where SSL VPN servers are used to provide secure remote access to corporate networks, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized network access. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1110, which covers credential access through brute force methods, by removing the normal protections that would otherwise make such attacks more difficult and time-consuming. Organizations using affected IPdiva SSL VPN Server versions should immediately implement mitigations including server-side authentication counter management, cookie validation mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring of authentication attempts to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.