CVE-2010-5080 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
The Security/changepassword URL action in SilverStripe 2.3.x before 2.3.10 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 passes a token as a GET parameter while changing a password through email, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive data and hijack the session via the HTTP referer logs on a server, aka "HTTP referer leakage."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5080 represents a critical security flaw in SilverStripe content management systems affecting versions prior to 2.3.10 and 2.4.4. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication tokens during password reset operations, specifically when users attempt to change their passwords through email links. The flaw manifests when the system passes authentication tokens as GET parameters in the URL, creating a dangerous exposure that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the inherent logging mechanisms of web servers to expose sensitive information that should remain confidential during authentication processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure transmission of authentication tokens through the HTTP referer header, which is automatically included in HTTP requests by web browsers when navigating from one page to another. When users click on password reset links sent via email, the system generates a unique token to validate the password change request and embeds this token directly into the URL as a GET parameter. This approach violates fundamental security principles by exposing authentication credentials in the URL, which are then logged in server access logs and potentially visible in browser history, proxy logs, and other network monitoring tools. The vulnerability specifically affects the Security/changepassword URL action, making it a targeted attack vector for session hijacking and unauthorized access to user accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5080 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables sophisticated session hijacking attacks that can lead to complete account compromise and unauthorized system access. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by monitoring server logs, intercepting network traffic, or accessing proxy server logs where the referer information is stored. The exposure of authentication tokens through HTTP referer leakage creates multiple attack surfaces that can be leveraged to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which describes the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through phishing with a malicious link. The potential for privilege escalation and data breach increases significantly when attackers can leverage these exposed tokens to access user accounts and system resources.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected SilverStripe installations to versions 2.3.10 and 2.4.4 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper URL parameter handling by avoiding the transmission of authentication tokens through GET parameters, instead utilizing POST requests or secure session-based approaches for password reset operations. Server administrators should review and configure access log settings to prevent sensitive data exposure, while implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as secure token generation with short expiration times, multi-factor authentication for sensitive operations, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves modifying the password reset functionality to use secure token handling mechanisms that do not expose authentication information through URL parameters, thereby eliminating the HTTP referer leakage that enables this attack vector.