CVE-2008-2318 in Xcode tools
Summary
by MITRE
The WOHyperlink implementation in WebObjects in Apple Xcode tools before 3.1 appends local session IDs to generated non-local URLs, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information by reading the requests for these URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2318 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Apple's WebObjects framework that was prevalent in Xcode tools prior to version 3.1. This issue specifically affects the WOHyperlink implementation component, which is responsible for generating hyperlinks within web applications built using Apple's WebObjects technology. The flaw manifests when the system generates URLs for web resources, particularly in scenarios where session identifiers are inadvertently appended to non-local URLs, creating a pathway for unauthorized information exposure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper URL generation logic within the WebObjects framework's hyperlink handling mechanism. When the WOHyperlink component processes requests for web resources, it fails to properly distinguish between local and non-local URLs during the session ID appending process. This results in local session identifiers being embedded into URLs that are intended to be non-local, meaning they point to external resources or domains. The flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices, which aligns with CWE-20 standards for improper input validation and CWE-200 for exposure of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential security risks for applications built using Apple's WebObjects framework. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by monitoring network traffic or analyzing web requests to extract session identifiers from URLs that should remain private. This information can then be used to impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access to protected resources, or conduct session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely heavily on session management and user authentication, as the exposed session IDs could compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a critical concern for legacy WebObjects applications and consider implementing multiple mitigation strategies. The most direct approach involves upgrading to Xcode 3.1 or later versions where Apple has addressed this specific flaw in the WebObjects framework. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect and alert on anomalous URL patterns containing session identifiers in non-local contexts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session management and URL handling practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through session hijacking and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations maintaining legacy WebObjects applications should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation measures to prevent similar issues in other components of their web infrastructure.