CVE-2010-1459 in Mono
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of ASP.NET in Mono before 2.6.4 has a value of FALSE for the EnableViewStateMac property, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, as demonstrated by the __VIEWSTATE parameter to 2.0/menu/menu1.aspx in the XSP sample project.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1459 represents a critical security flaw in the Mono framework's ASP.NET implementation that existed prior to version 2.6.4. This issue stems from a misconfiguration in the default settings that fundamentally compromises the security posture of web applications running on Mono platforms. The flaw specifically targets the EnableViewStateMac property, which serves as a crucial security mechanism designed to prevent tampering with view state data between client and server interactions. When this property is set to FALSE, it eliminates the cryptographic verification that would normally detect and prevent malicious modifications to view state parameters, creating an exploitable condition that directly enables cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the __VIEWSTATE parameter within HTTP requests, which is a core component of ASP.NET's state management system. This parameter contains serialized data that maintains the state of web forms across postbacks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability was demonstrated using the XSP sample project, specifically targeting the 2.0/menu/menu1.aspx page, which illustrates how attackers can leverage the disabled MAC validation to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This particular attack vector operates by crafting specially formatted view state data that, when processed by the vulnerable Mono framework, gets executed as JavaScript code, thereby enabling attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized operations on behalf of legitimate users.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1459 extends beyond simple XSS exploitation, as it represents a fundamental failure in the security configuration of the Mono framework's default settings. This vulnerability affects organizations running ASP.NET applications on Mono servers, particularly those using older versions that have not been updated to include the patched configuration. The default FALSE setting for EnableViewStateMac creates a persistent security risk that remains active until explicitly configured otherwise, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-1004, which addresses insecure default configurations, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure by default configurations that are fundamental to modern security practices. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the core state management functionality of ASP.NET applications, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the context of affected applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including updating to Mono 2.6.4 or later versions where the EnableViewStateMac property is properly configured to TRUE by default. Additionally, administrators should review their application configurations to ensure that the EnableViewStateMac property is explicitly set to TRUE in web.config files, particularly in applications that handle sensitive data or user input. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in view state parameter usage, and regular security audits should verify that default configurations have not been inadvertently modified to disable security features. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities, where attackers can leverage insecure default configurations to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as Content Security Policy headers and input validation mechanisms to provide defense in depth against similar classes of vulnerabilities that may exist in their web applications.