CVE-2019-10158 in Infinispan
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Infinispan through version 9.4.14.Final. An improper implementation of the session fixation protection in the Spring Session integration can result in incorrect session handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10158 resides within the Infinispan application server framework, specifically affecting versions through 9.4.14.Final. This security flaw manifests in the Spring Session integration component where the session fixation protection mechanism has been improperly implemented. The issue stems from inadequate handling of session identifiers during authentication processes, creating a potential avenue for attackers to exploit session management controls. Infinispan serves as a distributed caching and computing platform that often integrates with Spring-based applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments relying on such technologies.
The technical implementation flaw involves the incorrect handling of session identifiers when users authenticate through the Spring Session integration layer. Proper session fixation protection should ensure that when a user successfully authenticates, their session identifier is regenerated to prevent attackers from maintaining access through previously compromised session tokens. However, the flawed implementation in this version fails to properly invalidate or regenerate session identifiers, allowing for potential session hijacking scenarios where an attacker could maintain access to a user's session even after legitimate authentication occurs. This improper implementation directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-284 Access Control and CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management issues, as it creates a persistent security risk for applications utilizing Infinispan's distributed session handling capabilities. Attackers could potentially maintain unauthorized access to user sessions, leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability affects organizations running Spring-based applications that depend on Infinispan for session management, particularly those in financial services, healthcare, or government sectors where session security is paramount. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for credential access through session hijacking, and could enable further lateral movement within compromised environments.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Infinispan versions 9.4.15.Final or later, which contain the patched implementation of session fixation protection. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all applications using Infinispan Spring Session integration to identify potentially affected components. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual session behavior patterns and establishing proper session lifecycle management protocols can help mitigate the risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management in distributed application environments and highlights the necessity of thorough security testing for integration components, particularly those involving authentication and access control mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as secure session cookie attributes, proper session timeout configurations, and regular security assessments of their caching infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components.