CVE-2010-1135 in TikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
The user_logout function in TikiWiki CMS/Groupware 4.x before 4.2 does not properly delete user login cookies, which allows remote attackers to gain access via cookie reuse.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1135 affects TikiWiki CMS/Groupware version 4.x prior to 4.2, specifically within the user_logout function. This represents a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of user authentication mechanisms. The issue stems from improper handling of user login cookies during the logout process, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the application's authentication system and compromises user session security.
The technical flaw lies in the implementation of the user_logout function which fails to properly invalidate or delete user authentication cookies when a user attempts to log out of the system. This deficiency allows attackers to reuse previously valid cookies to maintain unauthorized access to user accounts. The improper cookie handling creates a session fixation vulnerability where the system does not adequately terminate active sessions, enabling attackers to leverage stolen or cached authentication tokens. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of session management and authentication termination.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts without requiring valid credentials or authentication bypass techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates entirely through cookie reuse, making it difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring. An attacker can simply capture a valid session cookie during a legitimate login session and then reuse that cookie to impersonate the user at a later time. This creates a persistent threat that can remain undetected for extended periods, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, or privilege escalation attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses Insufficient Session Expiration, and represents a classic case of improper session management that enables session hijacking attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage stolen session cookies to maintain persistent access to systems. Organizations using affected TikiWiki versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data compromise, as the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially affect entire user bases if multiple users are logged in simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the TikiWiki CMS/Groupware to version 4.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper cookie handling during logout operations. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as short session timeouts, secure cookie attributes, and regular session cleanup processes. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns, and organizations should consider implementing session management best practices including proper cookie invalidation, secure transmission of authentication tokens, and regular security audits of authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper session management and cookie handling in web applications, emphasizing that even seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks.