CVE-2013-3985 in Lotus Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Enterprise Meeting Server in IBM Lotus Sametime 8.5.2 and 8.5.2.1 does not properly restrict application cookies, which allows remote attackers to read session variables by leveraging a weak setting of the Domain variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3985 affects IBM Lotus Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 and 8.5.2.1, representing a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of enterprise communication platforms. This weakness resides in the server's improper handling of application cookies, specifically through inadequate restriction of the Domain variable setting which creates a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive session data. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure session management practices and aligns with CWE-614, which addresses sensitive cookies stored in insecure locations or with insufficient security attributes. The issue manifests when the Domain attribute of session cookies is not properly configured, allowing attackers to access session variables from different domains within the same organizational network.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a man-in-the-middle or cross-site scripting attack vector where remote adversaries can manipulate cookie domain settings to gain access to session data that should remain isolated between different applications or services. When the Domain variable is set too broadly or improperly configured, it enables attackers to read session variables from other applications running within the same domain space, effectively allowing session hijacking and unauthorized access to authenticated user sessions. This flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the cookie security model that IBM Lotus Sametime implements, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged across multiple attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3985 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromise entire enterprise communication infrastructures. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive meeting data, user credentials, and potentially escalate privileges to access other systems within the network that rely on the same authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on Lotus Sametime for enterprise collaboration and meeting management, where session hijacking could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential business meetings, and potential compromise of intellectual property. This issue directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for credential access through session hijacking and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in command and control communications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper configuration of cookie Domain attributes to restrict access to specific subdomains only, enabling secure cookie flags such as HttpOnly and Secure attributes, and implementing additional authentication layers. The recommended approach involves updating to patched versions of IBM Lotus Sametime, configuring strict cookie security policies, and implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement. Security administrators should also conduct thorough cookie auditing processes and monitor for suspicious session activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls with cookie inspection capabilities and establishing robust monitoring protocols for session management anomalies. Organizations utilizing this platform should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their enterprise communication infrastructure.