CVE-2014-0154 in oVirt
Summary
by MITRE
oVirt Engine before 3.5.0 does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header for the session IDs, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via script access to this cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0154 affects the oVirt Engine platform version 3.5.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in session management implementation. This issue stems from the absence of the HTTPOnly flag in Set-Cookie headers that are used to transmit session identifiers. The HTTPOnly flag serves as a crucial security mechanism that prevents client-side script access to cookies, thereby mitigating the risk of cross-site scripting attacks. Without this flag, session cookies become accessible to malicious scripts executed within the same domain, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors seeking to compromise user sessions.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper configuration of HTTP response headers within the oVirt Engine's authentication and session management system. When users authenticate to the platform, session identifiers are stored in cookies that should be protected from client-side script access. The HTTPOnly flag acts as a barrier that instructs web browsers to prevent JavaScript from accessing cookie values, which is essential for maintaining session integrity. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices and industry standards, including those outlined in the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top Ten and the CWE-1004 category for insecure cookie attributes. The absence of this flag creates a pathway for attackers to potentially steal session tokens through malicious scripts, which could then be used to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to the virtualization platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security of user sessions within the oVirt environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute cross-site scripting attacks that harvest session cookies from authenticated users, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to virtual machines, storage resources, and administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the entire oVirt Engine ecosystem, including its web interface and associated management tools, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where virtualization platforms manage critical infrastructure. This weakness creates a persistent risk that can be exploited by attackers who gain access to the web application through various vectors, including phishing attacks, compromised user credentials, or other initial access points, ultimately enabling them to maintain long-term unauthorized access to the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0154 involve immediate implementation of the HTTPOnly flag in all Set-Cookie headers generated by the oVirt Engine platform. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to oVirt Engine version 3.5.0 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper cookie configuration. Additional security measures include implementing comprehensive monitoring of cookie attributes, conducting regular security audits of web application headers, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include security training for administrators to understand the importance of proper cookie security attributes and the potential consequences of insecure session management. Organizations should reference the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1548.002 technique for bypassing user account control and the CWE-384 category for session fixation vulnerabilities to better understand the broader threat landscape. This vulnerability also highlights the necessity of adhering to the principle of least privilege and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of session theft in case other security controls fail.