CVE-2008-2233 in Openwsman
Summary
by MITRE
The client in Openwsman 1.2.0 and 2.0.0, in unknown configurations, allows remote Openwsman servers to replay SSL sessions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2233 affects the Openwsman client software version 1.2.0 and 2.0.0, specifically within certain unknown configurations where remote Openwsman servers can exploit a session replay mechanism. This flaw represents a significant security concern for systems utilizing the Web Services for Management protocol, which is designed to provide remote management capabilities for enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of SSL session identifiers during the authentication process, creating opportunities for malicious actors to intercept and reuse valid session tokens.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the client's failure to properly validate SSL session identifiers when establishing connections with remote servers. When a client establishes an SSL connection to an Openwsman server, the session identifier should be unique and time-limited to prevent unauthorized reuse. However, in affected configurations, the client accepts replayed session identifiers from remote servers, effectively allowing an attacker to impersonate legitimate users or systems. This issue falls under the category of session management flaws and can be classified as CWE-305 Authentication Flaw, specifically related to improper session handling and credential replay attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to managed systems and potentially escalate privileges within the network. Organizations relying on Openwsman for remote system management are particularly vulnerable since the attack can be executed remotely without requiring direct physical access to target systems. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete compromise of managed infrastructure, including access to system configurations, user credentials, and sensitive operational data. This threat vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to maintain persistent access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2233 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the SSL session replay vulnerability. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of Openwsman services to trusted networks only, while also enabling comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized session usage patterns. Additional protective measures include implementing strict SSL certificate validation procedures, enabling session timeout mechanisms, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for critical systems managed through Openwsman to reduce the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management in distributed systems and underscores the need for robust cryptographic practices in remote management protocols.