CVE-2015-3319 in hotEx Billing Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Hotspot Express hotEx Billing Manager 73 does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header, 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 • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3319 affects Hotspot Express hotEx Billing Manager version 73, representing a critical security flaw in web application cookie handling mechanisms. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper security controls when setting session cookies, creating an exploitable condition that compromises user authentication and session management. The vulnerability specifically impacts the HTTPOnly flag implementation within the Set-Cookie header mechanism, which serves as a fundamental security measure in modern web applications.
The technical flaw manifests when the application generates session cookies without including the HTTPOnly flag in the Set-Cookie header response. This omission allows malicious scripts executed within the same domain to access cookie values through client-side scripting languages such as javascript. The HTTPOnly flag acts as a protective barrier that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookie data, thereby mitigating cross-site scripting attacks that could otherwise harvest session tokens and user credentials. Without this flag, attackers can leverage reflected or stored XSS vulnerabilities to steal session cookies and impersonate legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to user accounts within the hotEx Billing Manager system. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, where stolen session cookies can be used to assume user identities and access sensitive billing information, customer data, and administrative functions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal effort and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be exposed to malicious web content or where the application lacks additional security layers.
Security professionals should recognize this issue as a direct violation of established web security best practices and industry standards including CWE-1004 which addresses the lack of HTTPOnly flag implementation in cookie security. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers credential access through social engineering and malicious web content. Organizations utilizing hotEx Billing Manager should immediately implement mitigations including the mandatory inclusion of HTTPOnly flags in all Set-Cookie headers, proper cookie security configurations, and comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web applications. Additionally, the implementation of Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability.