CVE-2012-5886 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation in Apache Tomcat 5.5.x before 5.5.36, 6.x before 6.0.36, and 7.x before 7.0.30 caches information about the authenticated user within the session state, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass authentication via vectors related to the session ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-5886 represents a significant authentication bypass flaw within Apache Tomcat's HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation. This issue affects multiple versions of the popular web application server, specifically targeting the session management mechanisms that handle authenticated user information. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of session state data, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit authentication controls through session ID manipulation.
The technical flaw occurs when Tomcat caches authentication information within the session state, creating a persistent data structure that can be manipulated by attackers. This caching mechanism, while designed to improve performance by reducing repeated authentication checks, inadvertently creates a security weakness where session identifiers can be leveraged to bypass authentication requirements. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the session management layer, affecting the fundamental authentication process that protects web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected resources without proper authentication credentials. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating session IDs to access authenticated content, effectively bypassing the digest authentication mechanism entirely. This creates a scenario where legitimate users may be unable to access protected resources while unauthorized parties can gain access through session manipulation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core authentication flow, potentially compromising entire web applications that rely on Tomcat's digest authentication.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Apache Tomcat where versions 5.5.36, 6.0.36, and 7.0.30 or later are deployed. Organizations should also review their session management configurations and consider implementing additional authentication controls such as secure session ID generation and proper session invalidation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential access through session hijacking. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious session activity should be implemented as additional defensive measures to detect potential exploitation attempts.