CVE-2013-3978 in Sametime
Summary
by MITRE
The Meeting Server in IBM Sametime 8.5.2 through 8.5.2.1 and 9.x through 9.0.0.1 does not send the appropriate HTTP response headers to prevent unwanted caching by a web browser, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3978 affects IBM Sametime Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 through 8.5.2.1 and 9.x through 9.0.0.1, representing a critical security flaw in the web application layer of this collaboration platform. This issue stems from the server's failure to implement proper HTTP response headers that would prevent web browsers from caching sensitive session data, creating a significant exposure risk for users accessing the system through web interfaces. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's inability to send cache-control directives that would instruct browsers to avoid storing sensitive information in local caches or temporary storage locations.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing or insufficient implementation of HTTP cache control mechanisms within the Meeting Server's response headers. When users access the Sametime Meeting Server through web browsers, the server fails to include essential headers such as Cache-Control: no-cache, no-store, and Pragma: no-cache in its HTTP responses. This omission allows web browsers to cache session tokens, authentication information, and other sensitive data locally on the user's device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to exploit unattended workstations where users may have left their browsers open and logged into the Sametime system, creating a window of opportunity for information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a method to gain unauthorized access to sensitive collaboration data and session information. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness by accessing cached data from unattended workstations, potentially obtaining session tokens, meeting information, user credentials, or other confidential data that was previously accessed through the vulnerable server. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Sametime for business-critical communications, as the vulnerability could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential meetings, or compromise of user authentication contexts. The attack vector is particularly effective in environments where users leave their workstations unattended for extended periods, making the cached information readily accessible to unauthorized individuals.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of proper HTTP response headers that explicitly prevent caching of sensitive information, along with establishing robust session management policies that enforce session timeouts and secure authentication practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-524, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper cache control, and represents a clear violation of security best practices for web application development. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and information gathering through cache poisoning and session hijacking methods. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all users are educated about the importance of properly logging out of systems and securing their workstations. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that proper cache control headers are being sent with all sensitive responses and that the server configuration adequately prevents unauthorized data access through browser caching mechanisms.