CVE-2015-3207 in Origin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2022
In Openshift Origin 3 the cookies being set in console have no 'secure', 'HttpOnly' attributes.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3207 affects OpenShift Origin 3 console applications where session cookies are being set without proper security attributes. This weakness resides in the web application's cookie management implementation, specifically within the authentication and session handling mechanisms that govern user interactions with the OpenShift console interface. The absence of security flags in these cookies creates exploitable conditions that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to containerized applications and infrastructure managed through the platform.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement essential cookie security measures that should be present in any production web application. The missing 'secure' attribute means that cookies can be transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections, making them vulnerable to interception during network transmission. Additionally, the absence of the 'HttpOnly' flag allows client-side scripts to access these cookies, creating opportunities for cross-site scripting attacks that could steal session tokens. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-614, which specifically addresses insecure cookies, and represents a fundamental failure in web application security configuration. The issue impacts the core authentication flow within OpenShift's console, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions and gain administrative access to containerized applications and their underlying infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session theft, as it creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the OpenShift environment. An attacker who intercepts a cookie through man-in-the-middle attacks or client-side script injection can potentially access the victim's OpenShift console session and perform unauthorized operations including deploying applications, managing containers, accessing sensitive data, and modifying system configurations. This risk is particularly severe in enterprise environments where OpenShift platforms host critical applications and data. The vulnerability affects the platform's overall security posture by weakening the authentication boundary between users and the console interface, potentially allowing lateral movement within the platform and escalation of privileges. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which covers abuse of credentials, and represents a critical weakness in the platform's session management security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3207 require immediate implementation of proper cookie security attributes throughout the OpenShift console application. Organizations should ensure that all session cookies include both the 'secure' and 'HttpOnly' flags when transmitted over HTTPS connections, with the 'secure' attribute preventing transmission over non-encrypted channels and the 'HttpOnly' flag preventing client-side script access. Additional controls should include implementing proper cookie SameSite attributes to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks and ensuring that all console communications occur over encrypted HTTPS connections with valid SSL certificates. The platform should also implement robust session management with automatic session timeouts and proper session invalidation mechanisms. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all cookie-setting locations within the application and ensure consistent implementation of these security measures across all console components. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53, specifically addressing the need for secure session management and proper cookie configuration to protect against session hijacking and credential theft attacks.