CVE-2014-1930 in Cyber Recruiter
Summary
by MITRE
Visibility Software Cyber Recruiter before 8.1.00 does not use the appropriate combination of HTTPS transport and response headers to prevent access to (1) AppSelfService.aspx and (2) AgencyPortal.aspx in the browser history, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1930 affects Visibility Software Cyber Recruiter versions prior to 8.1.00 and represents a critical security flaw in web application session management and information disclosure. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of HTTPS transport security and response headers, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to access sensitive information through browser history mechanisms. The flaw impacts two critical application pages: AppSelfService.aspx and AgencyPortal.aspx, which are likely used for employee self-service and agency portal functionalities within the recruitment management system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of security headers that should prevent sensitive pages from being cached or stored in browser history, creating a persistent exposure window for unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the absence of proper security headers such as Cache-Control, Pragma, and X-Frame-Options that should be set to prevent caching of sensitive content and control how web pages are displayed in browsers. When these headers are missing or improperly configured, web browsers may cache sensitive pages in memory or browser history, allowing attackers to retrieve previously visited sensitive pages through simple navigation or by accessing the browser history directly. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the unattended workstation scenario, where users leave their workstations unattended without proper screen lock mechanisms. This creates a window of opportunity where any user with physical access to the workstation can potentially retrieve sensitive information from the browser history without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential credential theft, unauthorized access to recruitment data, and exposure of sensitive personnel information. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply navigating through browser history on an unattended workstation to access previously visited sensitive pages, potentially gaining access to confidential recruitment data, candidate information, or administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how inadequate security header implementation can create persistent information exposure risks. The attack vector is particularly concerning from an ATT&CK perspective as it maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1531 (Account Access Removal) where attackers can leverage browser-based information gathering techniques to expand their access within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper HTTP security headers including Cache-Control set to no-cache, no-store, and must-revalidate, along with Pragma set to no-cache, and X-Frame-Options set to DENY or SAMEORIGIN. Organizations should also implement session management best practices including proper session timeout mechanisms, automatic logout after periods of inactivity, and mandatory screen locking when workstations are unattended. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security policies that enforce proper header configurations across all web applications. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to Visibility Software Cyber Recruiter version 8.1.00 or later, which includes proper security header implementations and enhanced session management controls. Security teams should also conduct regular audits of web application configurations to ensure that all sensitive pages are properly protected against browser-based information leakage and that appropriate access controls are maintained throughout the application lifecycle.