CVE-2013-2249 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
mod_session_dbd.c in the mod_session_dbd module in the Apache HTTP Server before 2.4.5 proceeds with save operations for a session without considering the dirty flag and the requirement for a new session ID, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2249 resides within the mod_session_dbd module of the Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.4 and earlier, representing a critical flaw in session management that could potentially allow attackers to manipulate session data without proper authorization. This issue specifically affects the session persistence mechanism that relies on database storage for maintaining user sessions across multiple requests. The vulnerability stems from the module's failure to properly validate session state before performing save operations, creating a scenario where session data could be incorrectly modified or overwritten without proper session integrity checks.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of session dirty flags and session ID requirements during the save process. When a session is modified, the system should verify whether the session data has been altered and whether a new session ID is required for security purposes. However, mod_session_dbd.c in affected Apache versions bypasses these validation steps, allowing session data to be saved regardless of the session's actual state. This behavior creates a potential attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the lack of proper state validation to manipulate session identifiers or data, potentially leading to session hijacking or privilege escalation scenarios. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper validation of session state as classified by CWE-284, which deals with inadequate access control mechanisms in session management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors, including remote code execution and unauthorized access to protected resources. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms, manipulate session data, or maintain persistent access to systems. The remote attack vectors are particularly concerning as they allow adversaries to exploit the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the server or direct network connection to the target system. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of web applications relying on Apache's mod_session_dbd module for session management, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or escalate privileges within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2249 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Apache installations to version 2.4.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper session state validation. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of session-related activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should review their session management configurations and ensure that proper session validation mechanisms are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, specifically targeting the credential access phase where attackers attempt to obtain valid credentials or session tokens. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to session management endpoints, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web server modules and components.