CVE-2013-7408 in BIG-IP Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
F5 BIG-IP Analytics 11.x before 11.4.0 uses a predictable session cookie, which makes it easier for remote attackers to have unspecified impact by guessing the value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7408 affects F5 BIG-IP Analytics version 11.x prior to 11.4.0, representing a significant security weakness in session management that could enable unauthorized access to critical network monitoring and analytics functions. This issue specifically relates to the predictable nature of session cookies used by the system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the predictable entropy in session identifier generation. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak session management and predictable random number generation, which are commonly exploited in various attack scenarios targeting web applications and network infrastructure components.
The technical flaw manifests in the implementation of session cookie generation within the F5 BIG-IP Analytics platform where the system employs a predictable algorithm or insufficient entropy when creating session identifiers. This predictability allows remote attackers to guess valid session cookie values through various means including brute force attacks, pattern analysis, or statistical inference methods. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in session management where the system fails to generate cryptographically secure random values, making it susceptible to session hijacking and unauthorized access to analytics data and monitoring functions. The predictable session cookie structure essentially provides attackers with a mechanism to impersonate legitimate users and gain access to sensitive operational data and system controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network analytics data collected by the BIG-IP system. Remote attackers who successfully guess valid session cookies can potentially manipulate monitoring data, access sensitive network information, disrupt analytics services, or use the compromised access as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the consequences could range from data exposure to complete system compromise depending on the attacker's objectives and the specific implementation details of the affected system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on F5 BIG-IP Analytics for network monitoring and security operations, as it undermines the trust and integrity of the analytics platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to F5 BIG-IP Analytics version 11.4.0 or later, which addresses the predictable session cookie issue through improved entropy in session identifier generation. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to analytics systems, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious session cookie usage patterns, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect potential session hijacking attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in random number generation, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for secure session management. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for analytics access, regular security assessments of network infrastructure components, and adherence to ATT&CK framework principles for detecting and preventing session management attacks. Proper patch management and security awareness training for administrators are essential to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability and maintain the security posture of critical network monitoring systems.