CVE-2008-4689 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
Mantis before 1.1.3 does not unset the session cookie during logout, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4689 affects MantisBT versions prior to 1.1.3, representing a critical session management flaw that directly impacts application security. This issue manifests when users attempt to log out of the MantisBT system, as the application fails to properly clear or unset the session cookie from the user's browser. The failure to properly terminate sessions creates a persistent security risk that allows malicious actors to exploit the system through session hijacking techniques. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the fundamental security principle of proper session termination and access control enforcement.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of the logout functionality within the MantisBT application framework. When a user clicks the logout button, the system should execute a complete session cleanup process that includes invalidating the session identifier, clearing all session data, and sending appropriate headers to instruct the browser to delete the session cookie. However, in affected versions, the application only partially executes this cleanup routine, leaving the session cookie intact in the user's browser cache. This flaw creates a window of opportunity where an attacker who has obtained the session cookie can reuse it to impersonate the legitimate user and gain unauthorized access to the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for remote adversaries who may be monitoring network traffic or have already gained access to session identifiers through various means. The persistence of session cookies post-logout creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks, where attackers can maintain access to user accounts without needing to authenticate repeatedly. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration and the improper handling of session identifiers. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable attackers to perform administrative functions, modify critical data, and potentially escalate their privileges within the system.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts. Attackers can leverage this flaw to maintain persistent access to systems, particularly in environments where users may not always manually clear their browser cache or where session cookies are stored in easily accessible locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared computing environments or public terminals where session cleanup is not properly enforced. Organizations using affected MantisBT versions face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized modifications to bug tracking data, and potential lateral movement within their networks through compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to MantisBT version 1.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper session cleanup. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as enforcing secure session management practices, implementing session timeout mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious login patterns. The solution requires modifications to the application's session management code to ensure that all session-related data is properly cleared during logout operations. Organizations should also conduct security reviews of their session management implementations and consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of session hijacking attempts. Proper security testing of authentication flows should be integrated into development processes to prevent similar issues in future releases.