CVE-2008-3102 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Mantis 1.1.x through 1.1.2 and 1.2.x through 1.2.0a2 does not set the secure flag for the session 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 • 08/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3102 affects Mantis bug tracking systems version 1.1.x through 1.1.2 and 1.2.x through 1.2.0a2, representing a critical security flaw in session management implementation. This issue specifically relates to the improper handling of session cookies when the application operates over secure HTTPS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to properly configure the secure flag on session cookies during HTTPS sessions, which is a fundamental security measure in web application development. According to CWE-614, this represents a weakness in the secure transmission of session cookies, where the secure flag acts as a critical HTTP cookie attribute that ensures cookies are only transmitted over secure HTTPS connections. Without this flag, session cookies become vulnerable to interception during man-in-the-middle attacks or when users accidentally navigate to HTTP pages while maintaining an active session, as the cookie will be transmitted in plaintext over unencrypted connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it enables remote attackers to capture session cookies through various attack vectors including network sniffing, compromised network infrastructure, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that force users to make unencrypted requests. When an attacker successfully captures a session cookie, they can impersonate legitimate users and gain access to their privileges within the Mantis system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to bug reports, user management capabilities, and other sensitive functionalities. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through phishing and network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be subjected to various social engineering campaigns or network-based attacks.
The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient session management security practices that can be exploited to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to web applications. Organizations using affected versions of Mantis should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the software, ensuring proper cookie configuration with secure flags, and implementing additional security controls such as HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) headers to enforce secure connections. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing and the implementation of secure coding practices that properly address cookie security attributes in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security requirements for web application security.