CVE-2017-12965 in Apache2Triad
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in Apache2Triad 1.5.4 allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via the PHPSESSID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12965 represents a critical session fixation flaw within Apache2Triad version 1.5.4, a web application framework that facilitates dynamic web content delivery. This security weakness enables remote attackers to exploit the session management mechanism by manipulating the PHPSESSID parameter, thereby gaining unauthorized access to user sessions and potentially compromising sensitive web application data. The vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly regenerate session identifiers upon user authentication, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited across network boundaries without requiring elevated privileges or specialized knowledge beyond basic web exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this session fixation vulnerability stems from Apache2Triad's inadequate session handling protocols that do not enforce proper session regeneration upon successful user authentication. When users log into the application, the system fails to generate a new session identifier, instead allowing the existing PHPSESSID parameter to persist throughout the authentication process. This flaw creates a predictable session state that attackers can capture and reuse, effectively hijacking active user sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the session management component of the web framework, making it particularly dangerous as it directly undermines the fundamental security principle of session isolation and user authentication integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass potential data breaches, unauthorized access to restricted resources, and compromise of user privacy. Attackers can leverage this weakness to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, modify data, or perform unauthorized transactions within the application. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for web applications that handle confidential data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which specifically addresses session fixation issues in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure session management best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12965 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Apache2Triad version to implement proper session regeneration mechanisms upon user authentication. Organizations should enforce session identifier regeneration after successful authentication events, implement secure session management practices, and consider deploying additional security controls such as secure cookie attributes, HTTPOnly flags, and SameSite directives to enhance overall session security. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that session identifiers are properly regenerated and that the application no longer permits the reuse of session tokens across authentication boundaries. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious session activity patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management in web applications and reinforces the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in application frameworks and web services.