CVE-2011-4677 in One Click Orgs
Summary
by MITRE
One Click Orgs before 1.2.3 does not have an off autocomplete attribute for authentication fields, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by leveraging an unattended workstation.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4677 affects the One Click Orgs web application version 1.2.2 and earlier, specifically targeting the authentication mechanism's handling of browser autocomplete features. This issue represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the application's ability to protect user credentials on unattended systems. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper security controls for authentication fields, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to gain unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests as the absence of the autocomplete="off" attribute in authentication form fields within the web application's HTML markup. This missing attribute allows web browsers to automatically fill authentication credentials from previously stored data when users navigate to the login page. When a workstation is left unattended, an attacker with physical access can quickly exploit this behavior by simply pressing the tab key or clicking on the username field, causing the browser to auto-fill the stored credentials without requiring any additional authentication steps. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-384, which addresses the weakness of storing sensitive information in a manner that is accessible to unauthorized parties, and specifically relates to the lack of proper input validation and security hardening in web forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe in environments where workstations are frequently left unattended or shared among multiple users. Attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring sophisticated tools or techniques, making it a low-hanging fruit for both insider threats and casual attackers. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in corporate or institutional settings where users may leave their computers logged in while stepping away for short periods, or in public access environments where multiple users share the same physical machine. The attack vector requires minimal effort and can be executed within seconds, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking quick credential theft. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and physical access methods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by updating the One Click Orgs application to version 1.2.3 or later, which includes the proper implementation of autocomplete attributes in authentication fields. Security administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in authentication mechanisms, ensuring that all sensitive input fields include appropriate security attributes. Additional protective measures include implementing session timeout mechanisms, enforcing strong authentication policies, and deploying user education programs about the risks of leaving workstations unattended. The implementation of these controls directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability while providing additional layers of security that align with defense-in-depth principles and industry best practices for web application security.