CVE-2011-4214 in AIMS
Summary
by MITRE
OneOrZero Action & Information Management System (AIMS) 2.7.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain administrator privileges via a crafted oozimsrememberme cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The CVE-2011-4214 vulnerability affects the OneOrZero Action & Information Management System (AIMS) version 2.7.0, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to escalate privileges to administrator level. This vulnerability specifically targets the session management mechanism within the application, exploiting a weakness in how the system handles the oozimsrememberme cookie parameter. The flaw resides in the application's inability to properly validate or sanitize user-provided cookie values, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate session tokens and gain unauthorized administrative access. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under the category of weak session management and improper input validation issues that are commonly classified under CWE-287 for improper authentication and CWE-312 for cleartext storage of sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious oozimsrememberme cookie value that circumvents the standard authentication checks implemented by the AIMS system. Attackers can manipulate this cookie to assume administrator privileges without providing legitimate credentials, effectively bypassing the entire authentication framework. The flaw likely stems from insufficient cryptographic validation of the cookie content or improper session token generation mechanisms that allow predictable or guessable values. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution capabilities and complete system compromise, as administrators possess full control over all system functions, user data, and operational parameters. The attack vector operates entirely over network protocols, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic network connectivity to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4214 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete administrative control over the AIMS system. This level of access enables threat actors to modify or delete critical system data, alter user permissions, install malicious software, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access while evading traditional security monitoring mechanisms. Organizations using AIMS 2.7.0 face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruption, as the compromised system could serve as a staging ground for broader network infiltration activities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as it enables attackers to leverage compromised credentials for persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4214 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the AIMS system that properly validates and sanitizes cookie values, implementing robust session management protocols that prevent cookie manipulation. The implementation of strong cryptographic mechanisms for session token generation, including proper randomization and secure hashing algorithms, is essential to prevent predictable cookie values. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable system, while comprehensive monitoring should be deployed to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns. Security measures should include regular vulnerability assessments, proper input validation for all user-supplied data, and the implementation of secure session management practices that align with NIST SP 800-116 guidelines for session management. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security training for administrators and implement principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.