CVE-2019-15955 in Total.js
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Total.js CMS 12.0.0. A low privilege user can perform a simple transformation of a cookie to obtain the random values inside it. If an attacker can discover a session cookie owned by an admin, then it is possible to brute force it with O(n)=2n instead of O(n)=n^x complexity, and steal the admin password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15955 affects Total.js CMS version 12.0.0 and represents a significant session management flaw that undermines the security of authenticated user sessions. This issue stems from improper cookie handling mechanisms that allow low privilege users to manipulate session tokens in ways that expose underlying randomization patterns. The vulnerability specifically targets the session cookie generation and validation processes within the content management system, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation and credential theft.
The technical flaw manifests through a predictable transformation mechanism within the cookie structure that reveals internal randomization values. When an attacker successfully identifies a legitimate admin session cookie, they can exploit the vulnerability to reduce the computational complexity of brute force attacks from exponential O(n)=n^x to linear O(n)=2n. This mathematical reduction in complexity dramatically accelerates the time required to compromise admin credentials, making automated attacks significantly more feasible. The vulnerability essentially provides an attack vector that bypasses normal cryptographic security measures through pattern recognition and mathematical optimization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to organizations using Total.js CMS 12.0.0 as it enables attackers to escalate privileges without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or extensive computational resources. The reduced attack complexity means that even automated tools can quickly compromise administrative accounts, leading to full system control, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in session management and authentication mechanisms.
The attack surface extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete system compromise, as administrative access provides unrestricted control over all CMS features, user management, content modification, and system configuration. Organizations running this vulnerable version face increased risk of data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors including session hijacking and authentication bypass methods that exploit predictable patterns in security tokens.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the Total.js CMS to version 12.1.0 or later, which addresses the cookie transformation vulnerability through improved randomization algorithms and enhanced session management protocols. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including session timeout mechanisms, secure cookie attributes, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful compromises. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against session management vulnerabilities that could expose similar attack vectors.