CVE-2018-15513 in Totemomail
Summary
by MITRE
Log viewer in totemomail 6.0.0 build 570 allows access to sessionIDs of high privileged users by leveraging access to a read-only auditor role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15513 represents a critical security flaw in the totemomail 6.0.0 build 570 log viewer component that enables unauthorized access to session identifiers belonging to high-privileged users. This issue arises from insufficient access controls within the system's audit logging functionality, specifically affecting the log viewer module that is designed to provide read-only access to system events and user activities. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear privilege escalation risk where users with minimal access rights can exploit the system to obtain sensitive session information that should remain restricted to authorized administrators.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper authorization checks within the log viewer interface, where session identifiers are exposed to users holding only auditor roles without proper authentication verification. This design weakness allows attackers to leverage their read-only access privileges to extract session tokens that can be used to impersonate high-privileged accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management mechanism within the application's authentication framework, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and escalate their privileges through session hijacking techniques. This issue aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically focusing on inadequate access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to sensitive session data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as session identifier exposure creates opportunities for account takeover attacks and privilege escalation within the system. An attacker with auditor-level access could potentially use the stolen session IDs to gain administrative privileges, compromising the entire system's security posture. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's session management system, as it allows unauthorized users to access sensitive session data that should remain protected. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on totemomail for email services, particularly those handling sensitive data or requiring strict access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15513 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper access control measures within the log viewer module, ensuring that session identifiers are not exposed to users with read-only auditor privileges. Organizations should implement role-based access controls that strictly limit access to session data based on user privileges and security requirements. The fix should involve modifying the log viewer's data exposure logic to prevent session ID disclosure to unauthorized users while maintaining legitimate audit functionality. Additionally, implementing proper session management practices including secure session token generation, regular session invalidation, and monitoring for suspicious access patterns can help reduce the overall risk. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK technique T1566 Credential Access, particularly focusing on credential dumping and session hijacking methods that attackers might employ to exploit such access control weaknesses in enterprise email systems.