CVE-2011-2224 in Data Synchronizer
Summary
by MITRE
The Mobility Pack before 1.2 in Novell Data Synchronizer 1.x through 1.1.2 build 428 does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2224 represents a critical security flaw in Novell Data Synchronizer's Mobility Pack component affecting versions prior to 1.2. This issue stems from the improper implementation of cookie security mechanisms within the web application framework. The Mobility Pack serves as a synchronization service that enables mobile device communication with enterprise data systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The absence of the HTTPOnly flag in Set-Cookie headers creates a significant attack surface that directly impacts the overall security posture of organizations relying on this synchronization solution.
The technical flaw manifests in the lack of proper cookie security attributes within the HTTP response headers. The HTTPOnly flag is a critical security feature that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookies, thereby mitigating cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts attempt to steal session cookies. Without this flag, session cookies become accessible to JavaScript running in the victim's browser, enabling attackers to harvest authentication tokens through XSS exploitation. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-1004 which specifically addresses insecure cookie attributes that fail to implement proper security controls. The vulnerability affects the broader web application security model by weakening the session management component that is fundamental to maintaining user authentication integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie exposure, creating a pathway for sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts that capture session cookies and redirect users to malicious sites, effectively hijacking their authenticated sessions. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework falls within the credential access and persistence domains, specifically targeting the T1566 technique for credential harvesting through web application attacks. Organizations using affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized system access, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, particularly when mobile users access corporate resources through the vulnerable synchronization service.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Mobility Pack component to version 1.2 or later, which properly implements the HTTPOnly flag in Set-Cookie headers. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring of web application traffic to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper cookie security policies that enforce the use of HTTPOnly, Secure, and SameSite attributes. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to prevent script injection, conducting regular security assessments of web applications, and ensuring that all enterprise mobility solutions adhere to current security best practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle cookie-based attack vectors. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper session management implementation and the need for continuous security testing of enterprise applications.