CVE-2016-4896 in SetucoCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SetucoCMS allows remote attackers to alter or disclose information, related to session information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4896 affects SetucoCMS, a content management system that exposes a critical security flaw in its session management mechanisms. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate or gain unauthorized access to session information, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate session handling practices that fail to properly validate or secure session data, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the system's authentication and authorization controls.
This security weakness represents a classic session management vulnerability that aligns with CWE-384, which specifically addresses session management flaws that can lead to unauthorized access or data manipulation. The flaw allows attackers to either hijack existing user sessions or create fraudulent sessions, effectively bypassing the CMS's intended security controls. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full system compromise through session manipulation techniques that violate fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4896 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the CMS environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to maintain long-term presence within the system, potentially escalating privileges to administrative levels and accessing sensitive data. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1563.002, which involves obtaining credentials through session hijacking or manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves the exploitation of weak session identifiers, lack of proper session validation, or insufficient session regeneration mechanisms. Attackers can manipulate session tokens, replay session data, or exploit predictable session generation algorithms to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability may also involve insufficient protection against session fixation attacks, where attackers can establish a session with a known session identifier and then use it to access protected resources. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the authentication system's ability to maintain session integrity and confidentiality, creating a pathway for persistent threats to establish and maintain access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4896 should focus on implementing robust session management practices including proper session token generation using cryptographically secure random number generators, implementing session regeneration after successful authentication, and ensuring proper session validation mechanisms are in place. Organizations should also implement session timeout mechanisms, secure cookie attributes, and monitor for suspicious session activity. The remediation process should include updating the CMS to versions that address the specific session management flaws, implementing proper input validation, and establishing comprehensive monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security measures such as multi-factor authentication and network segmentation should be implemented to provide additional layers of protection against session-based attacks.