CVE-2018-11635 in PowerMedia XMS
Summary
by MITRE
Use of a Hard-coded Cryptographic Key used to protect cookie session data in /var/www/xms/application/config/config.php in the administrative console in Dialogic PowerMedia XMS through 3.5 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11635 represents a critical security flaw in Dialogic PowerMedia XMS versions 3.5 and earlier, specifically within the administrative console's session management mechanism. This issue stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic protection for cookie session data, where a hard-coded cryptographic key is embedded directly within the application configuration file located at /var/www/xms/application/config/config.php. The presence of such a hard-coded key fundamentally undermines the security posture of the system by creating a universal decryption mechanism that can be exploited by any remote attacker who gains access to the application's configuration files or can execute code on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of session cookies that are protected using the hard-coded cryptographic key. When an attacker can either directly access the configuration file or achieve code execution on the server, they can extract the cryptographic key and subsequently decrypt or forge session cookies, thereby gaining unauthorized administrative access to the PowerMedia XMS console. This flaw directly maps to CWE-320, which addresses the use of hard-coded cryptographic keys, and represents a classic example of poor key management practices in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the key remains static across all installations, making it a predictable and easily exploitable weakness that does not require complex cryptographic attacks or extensive reconnaissance.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple authentication bypass, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the PowerMedia XMS system. This level of access enables malicious actors to modify system configurations, access sensitive communications data, manipulate media processing workflows, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using Dialogic PowerMedia XMS in telecommunications environments where session management security is paramount for protecting voice and video communication services. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal sophistication to exploit, making it attractive to both automated attack tools and skilled adversaries who can leverage the hard-coded key to establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements in cryptographic key management. Organizations should immediately update to Dialogic PowerMedia XMS versions that address this issue by implementing dynamically generated cryptographic keys rather than hard-coded values. The configuration file should be secured with appropriate file permissions to prevent unauthorized access, and the system should be audited for other instances of hard-coded credentials or cryptographic material. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.003, which covers the use of credentials in configuration files. Additionally, implementing proper key rotation mechanisms, secure configuration management practices, and regular security audits of application configuration files will help prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the system. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such flaws, ensuring that even if one component is compromised, the attacker cannot easily move laterally within the network infrastructure.