CVE-2015-1993 in Security QRadar Incident Forensics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics 7.2.x before 7.2.5 Patch 5 does not set the secure flag for unspecified cookies in an https session, which makes it easier for remote attackers to capture these cookies by intercepting their transmission within an http session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics version 7.2.x prior to 7.2.5 Patch 5 contains a security vulnerability related to cookie handling in HTTPS sessions. This flaw represents a failure in proper secure communication implementation where cookies that should be protected with the secure flag are instead transmitted without this critical security attribute. The vulnerability stems from the application's inability to properly configure session cookies to only be transmitted over encrypted connections, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the security of user sessions.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application generates cookies for session management during HTTPS interactions. These cookies lack the secure flag attribute which is essential for preventing cookie transmission over unencrypted channels. When users access the system through HTTPS, the application should ensure that all session-related cookies are marked with the secure flag to prevent them from being sent over HTTP connections. Without this protection, cookies can be intercepted during transmission and potentially reused by malicious actors.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact for organizations using affected QRadar versions. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic between users and the QRadar system, particularly when users transition from HTTP to HTTPS or when network monitoring tools capture the cookie transmission. The exposure of session cookies enables attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and forensic data within the QRadar environment. This compromises the integrity and confidentiality of security incident investigations and forensic analysis activities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which addresses the improper use of insecure cookies, and represents a specific implementation failure in secure session management practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness enables techniques such as credential access through session hijacking and initial access via network sniffing. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to QRadar Incident Forensics 7.2.5 Patch 5 or later versions that properly implement secure cookie flags. Additional defensive measures include network monitoring for suspicious cookie transmission patterns, implementing proper HTTPS enforcement, and conducting security assessments to verify cookie configuration across all web applications. The secure flag implementation is a fundamental security control that prevents session fixation and man-in-the-middle attacks, making this patch critical for maintaining the security posture of security operations centers relying on QRadar for incident forensics.