CVE-2016-6344 in JBoss BPM Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite 6.3.x does not include the HTTPOnly flag in a Set-Cookie header for session cookies, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via script access to the cookies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6344 affects Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite version 6.3.x and represents a critical security flaw in session management implementation. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly configure session cookies with the HTTPOnly flag, creating a significant vector for cross-site scripting attacks and session hijacking attempts. The absence of this security header allows malicious scripts executed in the victim's browser to access session cookies through JavaScript interfaces, thereby compromising user authentication state and potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive business process management functionalities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper cookie configuration within the JBoss BPM Suite's web application framework. When session cookies are transmitted without the HTTPOnly flag, they become accessible to client-side scripting environments such as javascript, which violates fundamental web security principles established by security standards including CWE-1004 and CWE-310. This flaw specifically impacts the Set-Cookie HTTP response header implementation, where the application fails to include the secure attribute that prevents client-side script access to the cookie data. The vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework category of T1566 - Phishing, as it enables attackers to harvest session tokens through social engineering or automated exploitation techniques that leverage XSS vulnerabilities to steal authentication cookies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for complete session takeover attacks that can lead to unauthorized access to business process management systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first obtaining a valid session cookie through various means such as XSS injection or man-in-the-middle attacks, then use the exposed cookie to impersonate legitimate users within the JBoss BPM Suite environment. This compromise affects the confidentiality and integrity of business processes, potentially allowing unauthorized modification of workflow configurations, access to sensitive business data, and execution of unauthorized business operations. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations using JBoss BPM Suite for critical business processes where session security is paramount for maintaining operational continuity and data protection.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including configuring the HTTPOnly flag on all session cookies through web server configuration files or application-level code modifications. The recommended approach involves updating the JBoss web application configuration to ensure that all Set-Cookie headers include the HTTPOnly attribute, which can be achieved through modifications to the web.xml deployment descriptor or through custom cookie management implementations. Security patches and updates from Red Hat should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the vendor has acknowledged the issue and provided remediation guidance. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their JBoss BPM Suite deployments to identify any other potentially vulnerable cookie configurations and implement proper security monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of additional security controls such as secure cookie attributes, proper session management, and regular security scanning should be considered as part of a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the broader application ecosystem.