CVE-2016-6545 in iTrack Easy
Summary
by MITRE
Session cookies are not used for maintaining valid sessions in iTrack Easy. The user's password is passed as a POST parameter over HTTPS using a base64 encoded passwd field on every request. In this implementation, sessions can only be terminated when the user changes the associated password.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6545 represents a critical session management flaw in the iTrack Easy application that fundamentally undermines the security of user authentication and authorization processes. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of session cookies and authentication tokens, creating a scenario where session persistence is entirely dependent on the password field rather than traditional session management mechanisms. The implementation violates fundamental security principles by relying on a base64 encoded password parameter transmitted via POST requests over HTTPS, which creates multiple attack vectors and reduces the overall security posture of the system.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's session handling architecture where session cookies are either absent, improperly implemented, or completely ignored in favor of password-based session validation. This design choice means that any attacker who can intercept or manipulate the base64 encoded password field during transmission could potentially maintain unauthorized access to user sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the termination of sessions, as users can only end their authenticated sessions by changing their password, which creates a persistent access window that extends far beyond normal session timeout behaviors. This implementation pattern is classified under CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for credentials from password storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management issues to encompass broader security implications for user authentication and access control. Attackers can exploit this weakness to maintain persistent access to user accounts even after normal session timeouts, as the system lacks proper session invalidation mechanisms. The requirement for password changes to terminate sessions creates a dangerous dependency where legitimate users may unknowingly leave their sessions active, while attackers can maintain access indefinitely. This vulnerability also impacts the application's compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which mandate proper session management and access control mechanisms. The base64 encoding of the password field, while providing minimal obfuscation, does not constitute adequate cryptographic protection and can be easily reversed or manipulated by determined attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental session management architecture by implementing proper session cookie handling with secure attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags. Organizations should implement standard session timeout mechanisms that automatically terminate inactive sessions and provide explicit session termination capabilities independent of password changes. The application should also incorporate proper session invalidation procedures that can be triggered through logout functions, session hijacking detection, and automatic session cleanup mechanisms. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and stronger authentication protocols would provide additional layers of security that could compensate for the session management weakness. The fix should align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for session management and address the specific ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and persistence. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging of session activities to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.