CVE-2009-4151 in Bestpractical
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in html/Elements/SetupSessionCookie in Best Practical Solutions RT 3.0.0 through 3.6.9 and 3.8.x through 3.8.5 allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions by setting the session identifier via a manipulation that leverages "HTTP access to the RT server," a related issue to CVE-2009-3585.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2021
The session fixation vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4151 affects the Best Practical Solutions RT (Request Tracker) software version 3.0.0 through 3.6.9 and 3.8.x through 3.8.5. This security flaw resides within the html/Elements/SetupSessionCookie component of the application, creating a critical weakness that enables remote attackers to hijack active web sessions. The vulnerability operates through manipulation of HTTP access to the RT server, allowing attackers to set session identifiers and maintain persistent access to user sessions. This issue represents a related problem to CVE-2009-3585, indicating a pattern of session management weaknesses within the RT platform that could compromise user authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical flaw in CVE-2009-4151 stems from inadequate session management practices within the RT application's session cookie setup functionality. When users authenticate to the RT system, the application should generate fresh, unpredictable session identifiers that cannot be easily guessed or manipulated by attackers. However, this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the session cookie generation process, enabling them to establish a known session identifier that persists across user authentication attempts. The flaw specifically manifests in the SetupSessionCookie element where the application fails to properly invalidate or regenerate session identifiers during the authentication process, creating opportunities for session hijacking attacks. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-384 as Session Fixation, which represents a well-documented weakness in web application security where session identifiers are predictable or reusable.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4151 extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass broader security implications for organizations using RT systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can maintain persistent access to user accounts, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or performing administrative functions within the RT environment. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or network, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications. Organizations utilizing RT versions affected by this vulnerability face risks of data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential compliance violations, especially in environments where the RT system manages critical business processes or handles sensitive information. The impact is particularly severe given that RT is commonly used for ticketing systems in enterprise environments where access control and audit trails are essential for security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4151 should prioritize immediate application of vendor patches and updates to RT versions that address the session fixation vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper session management practices including automatic session regeneration upon successful authentication, ensuring that session identifiers are cryptographically strong and unpredictable. The implementation of secure session cookie attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags can help prevent exploitation through cross-site scripting attacks. Network-level protections including firewall rules and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious session-related activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their RT installations and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for "Reconnaissance" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts" highlights the importance of implementing account monitoring and access control measures to prevent unauthorized session takeover. Regular security training for administrators and users regarding session management best practices is also recommended to reduce the risk of exploitation through social engineering or misconfiguration attacks.