CVE-2019-11464 in Couchbase Server
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Couchbase Server 5.1.2 and 5.5.0. The http server on port 8092 lacks an X-XSS protection header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11464 represents a critical security oversight in Couchbase Server versions 5.1.2 and 5.5.0, specifically within the HTTP server component that operates on port 8092. This flaw constitutes a missing security header that should be implemented to protect against cross-site scripting attacks. The absence of the X-XSS-Protection header creates an exploitable gap in the application's defensive mechanisms, leaving systems vulnerable to malicious script injection attempts that could compromise user sessions and data integrity.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-16, which addresses "Configuration', and more specifically CWE-352, 'Cross-Site Request Forgery', although the primary classification aligns with missing security headers that should be implemented according to industry best practices. The X-XSS-Protection header serves as a crucial defense-in-depth mechanism that instructs web browsers to enable their built-in cross-site scripting filters and provide additional protection against reflected and stored XSS attacks. Without this header, browsers cannot be explicitly instructed to implement these protective measures, leaving applications exposed to various XSS exploitation techniques that attackers can leverage to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the Couchbase environment. The HTTP server on port 8092 serves as a primary interface for administrative and data operations, making it a prime target for exploitation. Attackers could leverage this missing header to conduct session hijacking attacks, inject malicious scripts into user interfaces, or manipulate application responses to gain unauthorized access to database resources. The vulnerability affects both the 5.1.2 and 5.5.0 versions, indicating a prolonged period during which this security gap existed, potentially exposing numerous deployments to risk.
Security professionals should recognize this as a remediation priority within the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the 'Defense Evasion' and 'Credential Access' tactics. The missing header represents a failure to implement proper web application security controls that should be part of standard security configurations. Organizations using Couchbase Server versions 5.1.2 and 5.5.0 should immediately implement the X-XSS-Protection header with appropriate values, typically set to '1; mode=block' to enable the browser's XSS protection and block pages that contain detected XSS attacks. Additionally, comprehensive security audits should verify that all HTTP headers are properly configured according to security best practices, including the implementation of Content Security Policy headers and other protective mechanisms. The recommended mitigation involves updating to patched versions of Couchbase Server or implementing the missing header configuration through reverse proxy configurations or direct server modifications, ensuring that all web-facing components properly implement security headers as defined in the OWASP Security Headers project guidelines.