CVE-2018-12161 in Rapid Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient session validation in the webserver component of the Intel Rapid Web Server 3 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially disclose information via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12161 resides within the webserver component of Intel Rapid Web Server 3, representing a critical weakness in session validation mechanisms that could potentially compromise system security. This flaw specifically affects the authentication and authorization processes within the web server implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of session tokens and authentication states, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model without proper credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session validation, and represents a classic example of weak session management in web applications. The flaw occurs when the web server fails to properly verify session integrity and authentication status before granting access to protected resources. This weakness enables attackers to potentially manipulate session tokens or bypass authentication checks entirely, leading to unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core web server functionality and operates at the network level, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring any prior authentication credentials.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Intel Rapid Web Server 3 for their web hosting infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. Attackers could exploit this weakness to access sensitive configuration files, user data, administrative interfaces, or other protected resources that should only be accessible to authenticated users. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to the internet or corporate networks.
The security implications of CVE-2018-12161 align with several tactics and techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and defense evasion. The vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial reconnaissance leads to session manipulation and subsequent privilege escalation. Organizations may observe unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts that could be attributed to exploitation of this weakness. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various means including session manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Intel Rapid Web Server 3 installations to address the session validation flaw. Organizations should implement additional network segmentation measures to limit exposure of vulnerable systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious session-related activities. Configuration hardening practices should be enforced, including proper session timeout settings, secure session token generation, and regular security audits of web server configurations. Network access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the web server from trusted networks only, while also ensuring that all authentication mechanisms are properly validated before granting access to sensitive resources. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the organization's web infrastructure and ensure that proper session management practices are maintained across all systems.