CVE-2014-4830 in Qradar Security Information And Event Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security QRadar SIEM QRM 7.1 MR1 and QRM/QVM 7.2 MR2 does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header for the session cookie, 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 • 03/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4830 affects IBM Security QRadar SIEM QRM versions 7.1 MR1 and 7.2 MR2, representing a critical security flaw in the session management implementation of the QRadar Risk Manager platform. This issue specifically pertains to the absence of the HTTPOnly flag in Set-Cookie headers, which fundamentally compromises the security of session cookies used by the application. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-1004, which addresses the lack of proper protection against cross-site scripting attacks through insecure cookie handling practices. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the session cookie through client-side script execution, undermining the core security mechanisms designed to protect user sessions.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the QRadar Risk Manager handles session cookies during web application interactions. When a user authenticates to the system, the application generates a session cookie that should be protected from client-side script access. The HTTPOnly flag serves as a crucial security mechanism that prevents JavaScript running in the browser from accessing the cookie value, thereby mitigating the risk of cross-site scripting attacks. Without this flag, an attacker who successfully injects malicious JavaScript into the web application can easily extract the session cookie through document.cookie or similar methods, effectively hijacking user sessions and gaining unauthorized access to the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which covers 'Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism' through session hijacking and credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session theft, creating a comprehensive security risk for organizations relying on QRadar Risk Manager for security operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized access to sensitive security data, including risk assessments, threat intelligence, and security event monitoring information. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where QRadar is used for critical security monitoring and incident response activities, as compromised sessions could provide attackers with access to real-time security dashboards and administrative functions. Organizations may face significant operational disruption if attackers exploit this vulnerability to gain persistent access to their security infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to security policies, and complete compromise of the security monitoring environment. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that session cookies are typically long-lived and may contain elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly damaging to the overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4830 should focus on immediate implementation of the HTTPOnly flag across all session cookies within the QRadar Risk Manager environment. Organizations must ensure that all web applications, particularly those handling authentication and session management, properly configure Set-Cookie headers with the HTTPOnly attribute to prevent client-side script access. The recommended approach includes updating the QRadar Risk Manager to the latest available patch versions that address this specific vulnerability, as IBM would have released security fixes for this issue. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of session cookie handling within their web applications and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their security infrastructure. Network segmentation and additional authentication controls should be implemented as compensating controls while waiting for official patches to be deployed, ensuring that even if session hijacking occurs, the attacker's access remains limited to the initial compromised session rather than the entire system. The implementation of these controls aligns with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure session management and access control mechanisms.