CVE-2008-2433 in Client Server Messaging Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The web management console in Trend Micro OfficeScan 7.0 through 8.0, Worry-Free Business Security 5.0, and Client/Server/Messaging Suite 3.5 and 3.6 creates a random session token based only on the login time, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions via brute-force attacks. NOTE: this can be leveraged for code execution through an unspecified "manipulation of the configuration."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2433 represents a critical session management flaw affecting multiple versions of Trend Micro's security products including OfficeScan 7.0 through 8.0, Worry-Free Business Security 5.0, and Client/Server/Messaging Suite 3.5 and 3.6. This weakness stems from the implementation of session tokens that are generated using only login time as a factor, creating predictability in the authentication process that significantly undermines the security posture of these enterprise security solutions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-307, which specifically addresses inadequate session management, making it a well-documented weakness in application security practices.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient entropy of session token generation mechanisms within the web management console interfaces of these security products. When users authenticate to the system, the session token created contains minimal randomization elements, relying predominantly on temporal factors rather than robust cryptographic methods. This approach creates a narrow attack surface that allows remote adversaries to perform brute-force session hijacking attempts with significantly reduced computational overhead. The predictability of these tokens enables attackers to enumerate valid sessions without requiring extensive computational resources, effectively bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides a pathway for remote code execution through configuration manipulation as noted in the CVE description. Attackers who successfully hijack sessions can leverage their elevated privileges to alter system configurations, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where these security products are deployed, as it undermines the very security infrastructure designed to protect against external threats. The implications are severe given that these products are typically installed in critical business environments where unauthorized access could result in data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically focusing on credential access through session hijacking. The low computational complexity required to enumerate valid session tokens makes this attack particularly attractive to threat actors, especially when considering that the affected products are widely deployed in enterprise environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strengthening session token generation algorithms to incorporate sufficient entropy, implementing additional authentication factors such as multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper session management practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that even security tools themselves can contain exploitable weaknesses that require careful consideration during deployment and ongoing maintenance.