CVE-2018-7675 in SENTINEL
Summary
by MITRE
In NetIQ Sentinel before 8.1.x, a Sentinel user is logged into the Sentinel Web Interface. After performing some tasks within Sentinel the user does not log out but does go idle for a period of time. This in turn causes the interface to timeout so that it requires the user to re-authenticate. If another user is passing by and decides to login, their credentials are accepted. While The user does not inherit any of the other users privileges, they are able to view the previous screen. In this case it is possible that the user can see another users events or configuration information for whatever view is currently showing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7675 affects NetIQ Sentinel versions prior to 8.1.x and represents a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of the web interface authentication system. This issue stems from improper session handling mechanisms that fail to adequately secure user contexts when sessions timeout due to inactivity. The vulnerability manifests when a legitimate user maintains an active session but becomes idle for an extended period, triggering an automatic timeout that requires re-authentication. However, the system's failure to properly invalidate or secure the previous session state creates an exploitable condition where subsequent users can leverage the timeout window to access previously viewed information.
This security weakness operates through a session hijacking pattern that violates fundamental principles of access control and information separation. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.1001 for credential access through session hijacking. When the initial user's session times out, the system should terminate all associated context and prevent unauthorized access to the previous user's view. Instead, the system allows a new user to authenticate and potentially access the cached interface state, including sensitive event data and configuration information that was visible on the last screen before the timeout occurred.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation through information gathering. Attackers can exploit this condition to collect sensitive data that may include system events, user activities, configuration parameters, or other administrative information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The flaw particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same physical or logical workspace, as the vulnerability can be exploited by any individual who gains access to the system during the timeout window. This creates a window of opportunity for unauthorized information access that could compromise audit trails, system configurations, or sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7675 should focus on implementing robust session management protocols that properly invalidate session contexts upon timeout and prevent unauthorized access to cached interface states. Organizations should ensure that all session tokens are properly terminated and that interface state information is cleared upon session expiration. The recommended solution involves upgrading to NetIQ Sentinel 8.1.x or later versions that address this specific vulnerability through enhanced session handling mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict access control policies, including mandatory session timeouts, automatic screen locking, and regular security audits to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should also be deployed to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, while ensuring that all users are properly trained on secure session management practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.