CVE-2010-1507 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
WebYaST in yast2-webclient in SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) 11 on the WebYaST appliance uses a fixed secret key that is embedded in the appliance s image, which allows remote attackers to spoof session cookies by leveraging knowledge of this key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1507 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in the WebYaST management interface of SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 systems. This flaw specifically affects the yast2-webclient component that operates within the WebYaST appliance environment, creating a significant security risk through the use of a hard-coded secret key that is permanently embedded within the system image. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of session management and authentication mechanisms, where the cryptographic key used for generating session cookies remains static across all deployments rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the use of a fixed cryptographic secret that serves as the foundation for session cookie generation and validation within the WebYaST interface. This approach directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top Ten, particularly the category of broken authentication and session management. The embedded secret key creates a deterministic cryptographic system where attackers can predict and forge session tokens simply by knowing this static value, effectively bypassing the entire session management infrastructure designed to authenticate legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables remote attackers to completely compromise the WebYaST management interface without requiring any valid credentials or authentication. This weakness allows adversaries to assume the identity of any user within the system, including administrative accounts, thereby gaining full control over system configuration and management functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects the appliance image itself, meaning that all deployments of the WebYaST appliance are equally vulnerable regardless of network segmentation or other security controls. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Credential Access and the technique of "Forge Web Session Cookie" which is classified as a form of session hijacking.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the security design of the SUSE WebYaST implementation, where the developers failed to implement proper cryptographic key management practices. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) database, this vulnerability maps to CWE-324: Use of a Key That Is Too Weak, as well as CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues, specifically addressing the improper generation and storage of cryptographic keys. The static nature of the secret key creates a persistent backdoor that remains active across system reboots and deployments, making it particularly difficult to remediate without a complete system image replacement. Organizations using SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 appliances with WebYaST functionality are particularly at risk, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, or exfiltrate sensitive data through the management interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to either update the system with patched versions that implement proper dynamic key generation or replace the entire appliance image with a secure version. Security administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the WebYaST interface, deploy additional authentication layers, and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The recommended approach involves replacing the static secret key with a cryptographically secure random value generated at system installation time, as specified in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-132 for key derivation and management. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including multi-factor authentication, network access controls, and continuous monitoring of management interface access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.