CVE-2016-2972 in Sametime Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sametime Meeting Server 8.5.2 and 9.0 could store credentials of the Sametime Meetings user in the local cache of their browser which could be accessed by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 113855.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2972 affects IBM Sametime Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 and 9.0, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication handling mechanism of this enterprise collaboration platform. This issue stems from improper credential management where user authentication tokens and sensitive information are persistently stored in the browser's local cache without adequate protection measures. The vulnerability creates a persistent exposure risk that extends beyond the typical session lifecycle, as credentials remain accessible even after users have logged out or closed their browser sessions.
The technical implementation flaw involves the server's failure to properly secure authentication data within client-side storage mechanisms. When users participate in Sametime meetings, their credentials are cached locally in the browser environment, creating a persistent storage location that can be accessed by any user with local system access. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for credential handling and demonstrates a lack of proper data sanitization between user sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the browser-based client components of the Sametime platform, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access to computing resources is not adequately controlled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating potential vectors for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to corporate collaboration systems. An attacker with local user access to a victim's machine could retrieve cached credentials and gain unauthorized access to Sametime meetings, potentially accessing sensitive business communications, participant data, and meeting content. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users share workstations or where security boundaries are not properly maintained. The vulnerability essentially transforms a temporary session into a persistent access point, significantly increasing the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional session management controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser cache configuration changes to prevent credential storage, deployment of network access controls to limit local system access, and implementation of additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1531 for credential access. System administrators should consider disabling local browser caching for Sametime applications, implementing strict access controls on local system resources, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar credential storage vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts and implement proper incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios, as this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise collaboration security and data confidentiality.