CVE-2018-12302 in NAS OS
Summary
by MITRE
Missing HTTPOnly flag on session cookies in the Seagate NAS OS version 4.3.15.1 web application allows attackers to steal session tokens via cross-site scripting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12302 represents a critical security flaw in the Seagate NAS OS version 4.3.15.1 web application interface. This issue stems from the improper configuration of session cookies that lack the HTTPOnly flag, creating an exploitable condition that fundamentally undermines the security of user sessions within the network-attached storage environment. The absence of this essential security measure creates a pathway for malicious actors to compromise user authentication tokens through cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation flaw manifests when the web application generates session cookies without setting the HTTPOnly attribute, which should prevent client-side scripts from accessing cookie values. This misconfiguration enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code that can extract session tokens from the browser's cookie storage. The vulnerability operates under the common weakness pattern described by CWE-1004 which specifically addresses the lack of protection against cross-site scripting attacks through improper cookie configuration. The HTTPOnly flag serves as a crucial defense mechanism that prevents script-based attacks from accessing sensitive session information, and its absence creates a direct vector for session hijacking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session theft, as it allows attackers to establish persistent unauthorized access to the Seagate NAS device. Once an attacker successfully executes a cross-site scripting payload and extracts the session token, they can impersonate legitimate users and gain full administrative access to the network-attached storage system. This compromise can lead to unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the storage system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where sensitive data is typically stored.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through session management flaws. The attack chain typically begins with the delivery of a malicious payload through phishing or other social engineering means, followed by successful execution of cross-site scripting that leverages the missing HTTPOnly flag. The exploitation process can be automated and requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to both sophisticated attackers and less experienced threat actors. Organizations using Seagate NAS OS version 4.3.15.1 are particularly vulnerable due to the widespread deployment of this storage solution in both enterprise and home network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12302 should prioritize immediate remediation through the implementation of proper cookie configuration settings. The primary fix involves configuring all session cookies with the HTTPOnly flag set to true, which prevents JavaScript execution from accessing cookie values and effectively neutralizes the cross-site scripting attack vector. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls including regular security assessments, web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious session activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and other industry security frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security patch management to reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.