CVE-2013-5350 in OpenPNE
Summary
by MITRE
The "Remember me" feature in the opSecurityUser::getRememberLoginCookie function in lib/user/opSecurityUser.class.php in OpenPNE 3.6.13 before 3.6.13.1 and 3.8.9 before 3.8.9.1 does not properly validate login data in HTTP Cookie headers, which allows remote attackers to conduct PHP object injection attacks, and execute arbitrary PHP code, via a crafted serialized object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-5350 represents a critical security flaw in the OpenPNE social networking platform that affects versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue resides within the opSecurityUser::getRememberLoginCookie function located in the lib/user/opSecurityUser.class.php file, which handles the "Remember me" functionality for user sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of data contained within HTTP cookie headers, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through PHP object injection techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate HTTP cookie values containing serialized PHP objects. When the system processes these cookies through the getRememberLoginCookie function, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the serialized data before deserializing it. This improper handling creates a PHP object injection vector that can be exploited to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The flaw specifically affects the deserialization process where user-provided data is directly processed without adequate input validation, making it susceptible to manipulation by attackers who craft malicious serialized objects.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire server infrastructures. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism of OpenPNE, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users or gain administrative privileges. Additionally, the persistent nature of the "Remember me" functionality means that once exploited, the malicious code could remain active across multiple user sessions, providing sustained access to the compromised system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all cookie data, particularly serialized objects. The recommended approach involves modifying the getRememberLoginCookie function to validate and sanitize cookie contents before any deserialization occurs, implementing strict type checking, and employing secure coding practices that prevent object injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policies and cookie security flags to reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, representing exploitation of remote services through code injection. System administrators should immediately apply the patched versions referenced in the CVE description to prevent exploitation, while also conducting thorough security audits of similar functions throughout the application to identify potential analogous vulnerabilities.