CVE-2018-5482 in SnapCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp SnapCenter Server prior to 4.1 does not set the secure flag for a sensitive cookie in an HTTPS session which can allow the transmission of the cookie in plain text over an unencrypted channel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5482 affects NetApp SnapCenter Server versions prior to 4.1 and represents a critical security flaw in the handling of session cookies within HTTPS communications. This issue stems from the server's failure to properly configure the secure flag on sensitive cookies, creating a significant exposure in the authentication and session management mechanisms of the application. The secure flag is a critical HTTP cookie attribute that ensures cookies are only transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections and never over unencrypted HTTP connections.
The technical flaw manifests when the SnapCenter Server generates authentication cookies for user sessions but fails to include the secure flag in the cookie's attributes. This omission allows the cookie to be transmitted in plaintext over any network channel, including unencrypted HTTP connections, which can occur during redirects or when users access the application through non-HTTPS endpoints. The vulnerability specifically impacts the session management component of the server, where sensitive authentication information is stored in cookies that are intended to maintain user sessions and authorization status throughout the application interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to intercept and exploit session cookies. An attacker positioned within the network traffic flow or utilizing man-in-the-middle techniques can capture these unsecured cookies and subsequently impersonate legitimate users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability essentially undermines the encryption assurances provided by HTTPS, creating a false sense of security for users who believe their session data is protected. This flaw directly violates security best practices and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative privileges, and potentially full system compromise.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which addresses the weakness of storing sensitive data in cookies without the secure flag, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through network sniffing and interception. Organizations utilizing affected NetApp SnapCenter Server versions face increased risk of session hijacking attacks, particularly in environments where network traffic is not fully secured or where users may inadvertently access the application through insecure channels. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypasses to potentially enable privilege escalation and persistent access to critical backup and recovery systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security configuration management and highlights the importance of proper cookie attribute implementation in web applications.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to NetApp SnapCenter Server version 4.1 or later, which properly implements the secure flag for all sensitive cookies. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all web applications to ensure proper cookie attribute configuration, including the secure flag, HttpOnly flag, and SameSite attributes. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on suspicious cookie transmission patterns, and organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to sensitive applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar configuration vulnerabilities across the entire infrastructure.