CVE-2014-8525 in Network Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention (NDLP) before 9.3 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 • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8525 affects McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention version 9.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the web application's session management implementation. This issue stems from the absence of the HTTPOnly flag in Set-Cookie headers, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to protect session cookies from cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to access session cookies through client-side script execution, creating a significant vector for credential theft and session hijacking attacks. The flaw directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on McAfee NDLP for data protection, as it undermines the integrity of the authentication mechanism that should safeguard sensitive network data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web application's cookie handling mechanism where session identifiers are transmitted without proper security attributes. The HTTPOnly flag serves as a critical defense-in-depth measure that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookie values, thereby mitigating the risk of cross-site scripting attacks that could otherwise extract session tokens. Without this flag, attackers can leverage XSS vulnerabilities to steal session cookies through JavaScript execution, bypassing traditional security controls. This flaw aligns with CWE-1004 which specifically addresses insecure cookie attributes and represents a violation of secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten. The vulnerability operates under the premise that if an attacker can inject malicious script into a web application, they can then access session cookies that should remain protected from client-side access.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8525 extends beyond simple credential theft, potentially enabling full session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive network data. Organizations utilizing McAfee NDLP may face significant risks including data exfiltration, unauthorized administrative access to the security platform, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability in conjunction with other techniques to escalate privileges and gain access to protected network resources, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics. The attack surface is broadened as this vulnerability affects any web application component that relies on session cookies for authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where NDLP systems control critical data flows and network access policies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on implementing the HTTPOnly flag in all session cookies and ensuring proper web application security configurations. Organizations should immediately upgrade to McAfee NDLP version 9.3 or later, which includes the necessary security patches addressing this flaw. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts and session hijacking activities. The remediation process should include thorough security testing of web applications to verify that all session cookies are properly configured with security attributes including HTTPOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding standards and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security.