CVE-2017-3966 in Network Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Exploitation of session variables, resource IDs and other trusted credentials vulnerability in the web interface in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) before 8.2.7.42.2 allows remote attackers to exploit or harm a user's browser via reusing the exposed session token in the application URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3966 represents a critical session management flaw in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) versions prior to 8.2.7.42.2. This weakness resides within the web interface component of the security management platform, which is designed to provide centralized network security monitoring and control. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of session variables and resource identifiers, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit exposed credentials within application URLs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to harvest session tokens through URL parameters that are not properly secured or validated. When users navigate the NSM web interface, session identifiers and resource IDs become embedded directly within the application URLs, creating a persistent exposure that can be exploited by attackers who gain access to these URLs through various means such as network sniffing, phishing attacks, or compromised user sessions. The flaw specifically enables attackers to reuse these exposed tokens to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to the security management platform.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact within network security environments as it undermines the fundamental authentication mechanisms that protect critical security infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary actions within the NSM platform, potentially gaining access to sensitive network monitoring data, modifying security policies, or disrupting network operations. The exposure of session tokens in URLs violates standard security practices and creates persistent access vectors that remain valid until the session expires naturally or is manually terminated.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session management flaws where applications use predictable session identifiers or expose session tokens in URLs. From an adversarial perspective, this weakness maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, specifically credential harvesting through phishing attacks, as attackers can exploit exposed session tokens to gain unauthorized access to security management platforms. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and disruption of network security monitoring capabilities that organizations rely upon for threat detection and response.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to McAfee NSM version 8.2.7.42.2 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through improved session token handling and URL parameter validation. Additional defensive measures include implementing secure session management practices such as using secure HTTP-only cookies for session tracking, removing session identifiers from URLs, and implementing proper session timeout mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of web application traffic can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive security credentials and privileged access.