CVE-2014-9386 in Zenoss
Summary
by MITRE
Zenoss Core before 4.2.5 SP161 sets an infinite lifetime for the session ID cookie, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions by leveraging an unattended workstation, aka ZEN-12691.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9386 affects Zenoss Core versions prior to 4.2.5 SP161, presenting a significant session management flaw that compromises application security. This issue stems from the improper configuration of session ID cookies where the system sets an infinite lifetime, creating persistent authentication tokens that remain valid indefinitely. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit unattended workstations by simply capturing and reusing these long-lived session identifiers, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to the Zenoss monitoring platform.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic session management weakness that aligns with CWE-613, which focuses on insufficient session expiration and improper session handling. The infinite lifetime configuration of session cookies creates a persistent attack surface that persists beyond normal session timeouts, allowing attackers to maintain access even after legitimate users have logged out or left their systems unattended. This flaw specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms within Zenoss Core, where session tokens are intended to provide temporary access but instead offer indefinite privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables persistent threat actor presence within monitored environments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to maintain long-term access to the Zenoss platform, potentially gaining visibility into system configurations, monitoring data, and operational activities without detection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Zenoss is used for critical infrastructure monitoring, as it could allow attackers to remain undetected while accessing sensitive operational data and potentially manipulating monitoring configurations.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is relatively straightforward, utilizing the principle of session hijacking through unattended workstation exploitation. Remote attackers can capture session cookies through various means including network sniffing, cross-site scripting attacks, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that allow cookie extraction. Once captured, these persistent session identifiers can be used at any time to access the Zenoss platform, making the attack persistent and difficult to detect through conventional session monitoring approaches. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002, which covers "Access Token Manipulation" and related session hijacking activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper session management policies including setting reasonable session timeout intervals and implementing automatic session expiration mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that session cookies have appropriate lifetime values that align with security policies and operational requirements. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Zenoss Core version 4.2.5 SP161 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly configure session cookie lifetimes. Additional security measures should include implementing secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, along with regular session monitoring and invalidation procedures to detect and respond to potential session hijacking attempts.