CVE-2011-2154 in SmarterStats
Summary
by MITRE
login.aspx in the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header for the loginsettings cookie, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via script access to this cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2154 affects the SmarterTools SmarterStats 6.0 web server implementation where the login.aspx page fails to properly configure the Set-Cookie header for the loginsettings cookie. This security flaw stems from the absence of the HTTPOnly flag in the cookie attributes, creating a significant vector for cross-site scripting attacks. The HTTPOnly flag serves as a critical security mechanism that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookie values, thereby protecting sensitive authentication data from being harvested by malicious JavaScript code executed in the victim's browser. Without this flag, the loginsettings cookie becomes vulnerable to theft through XSS exploitation techniques, as demonstrated in numerous security assessments and penetration testing scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker successfully injects malicious script into a web application that can then access the compromised cookie through JavaScript APIs such as document.cookie. This allows the attacker to obtain the session identifier or authentication tokens stored in the loginsettings cookie, potentially enabling unauthorized access to user accounts and administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication process within the SmarterStats web interface, where the cookie is used to maintain user login preferences and session state. The absence of the HTTPOnly flag creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass traditional authentication mechanisms and impersonate legitimate users, as the cookie values become accessible to client-side script execution contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally weakens the security posture of the affected web application. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, account takeover, and privilege escalation attacks within the SmarterStats environment. The vulnerability represents a failure in secure cookie implementation practices and violates established security guidelines for web application development. According to CWE-1004, this issue falls under the category of insecure cookie attributes, specifically the lack of proper security flags that should be implemented for all session cookies. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which describes the use of insecure cookies to maintain access to systems, and T1213, which covers data from information repositories, as attackers can extract sensitive session data from compromised cookies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2154 require immediate implementation of proper cookie security attributes, specifically adding the HTTPOnly flag to all session cookies generated by the web application. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent XSS vulnerabilities that could lead to cookie theft. The recommended solution involves modifying the login.aspx page to include the HTTPOnly flag in the Set-Cookie header when creating the loginsettings cookie, along with implementing additional security headers such as Secure and SameSite flags for enhanced protection. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other cookies that may be missing the HTTPOnly flag and ensure all session management components adhere to secure coding practices. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate that cookie security measures are properly implemented and maintained across the entire web application infrastructure.