CVE-2014-5128 in Encore Discovery Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Innovative Interfaces Encore Discovery Solution 4.3 places a session token in the URI, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5128 affects the Innovative Interfaces Encore Discovery Solution version 4.3, a library management system that provides integrated discovery and access services for digital collections. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's session management implementation where session tokens are embedded directly within Uniform Resource Identifiers rather than being properly handled through secure session mechanisms. The improper handling of session tokens in URIs creates a significant exposure that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information within the system.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper session management controls, specifically the insecure practice of transmitting session identifiers through URL parameters. When session tokens appear in URIs, they become susceptible to several attack vectors including session hijacking, cross-site scripting attacks, and information disclosure through web server logs, browser history, and referral headers. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-613, which addresses inadequate session management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 focusing on credential access through session management flaws. The session tokens embedded in URLs create persistent identifiers that can be captured and reused by malicious actors, potentially allowing them to impersonate legitimate users and access protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential full system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept session tokens from web traffic, particularly when users share links or when the application is accessed through insecure networks. The exposure creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where unauthorized users might gain access to administrative functions, user accounts, or sensitive library data including patron records, catalog information, and system configuration details. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security controls of the discovery solution, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of library digital collections and user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5128 require immediate implementation of proper session management practices including the use of secure HTTP-only cookies for session token storage and transmission. Organizations should implement URL rewriting mechanisms to prevent session identifiers from appearing in URIs, establish proper session timeout mechanisms, and ensure that session tokens are randomly generated with sufficient entropy. Security measures must include configuring web servers to log and monitor for session token exposure, implementing secure session handling protocols, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing session tokens in URLs. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that session management practices comply with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure application development and deployment.