CVE-2017-12873 in SimpleSAMLphp
Summary
by MITRE
SimpleSAMLphp 1.7.0 through 1.14.10 might allow attackers to obtain sensitive information, gain unauthorized access, or have unspecified other impacts by leveraging incorrect persistent NameID generation when an Identity Provider (IdP) is misconfigured.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
SimpleSAMLphp versions 1.7.0 through 1.14.10 contain a critical vulnerability in their identity provider implementation that stems from improper persistent NameID generation mechanisms. This flaw occurs when an Identity Provider is misconfigured, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the system's authentication flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests through the incorrect handling of persistent NameID values, which are essential components in SAML authentication protocols for maintaining user sessions across multiple service providers. When an IdP generates NameIDs incorrectly, it creates predictable or guessable identifiers that can be exploited by malicious actors to impersonate legitimate users or access protected resources without proper authentication. This issue directly relates to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and CWE-287, which covers improper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability operates within the SAML 2.0 framework and specifically targets the NameIdentifier generation process, where persistent NameIDs should be cryptographically secure and unique per user session. Attackers can leverage this weakness through techniques such as session hijacking, user impersonation, or unauthorized access to protected services that rely on the compromised authentication flow. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Organizations using SimpleSAMLphp in production environments face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the identity provider's session management and authentication token generation processes, creating persistent security gaps that can be exploited over extended periods. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts usage, as attackers can potentially leverage compromised NameID values to gain persistent access to systems. The misconfiguration aspect of this vulnerability means that even organizations with proper security measures in place can be compromised if their SimpleSAMLphp implementation does not follow recommended configuration guidelines for NameID generation. The technical complexity of this issue lies in the subtle nature of the NameID generation algorithm, where predictable patterns can emerge from seemingly innocuous configuration settings. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect through standard security scanning tools, as the exploitation often requires understanding of the specific SAML implementation details and the ability to monitor authentication flows. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to SimpleSAMLphp version 1.14.11 or later, which includes fixed NameID generation mechanisms that properly implement cryptographic randomness and uniqueness requirements. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough configuration reviews to ensure that their IdP settings align with security best practices for SAML implementation and that proper logging and monitoring capabilities are in place to detect potential exploitation attempts.