CVE-2019-1807 in Umbrella Dashboard
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the session management functionality of the web UI for the Cisco Umbrella Dashboard could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access the Dashboard via an active, user session. The vulnerability exists due to the affected application not invalidating an existing session when a user authenticates to the application and changes the users credentials via another authenticated session. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using a separate, authenticated, active session to connect to the application through the web UI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to maintain access to the dashboard via an authenticated user's browser session. Cisco has addressed this vulnerability in the Cisco Umbrella Dashboard. No user action is required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1807 resides within the session management mechanisms of Cisco Umbrella Dashboard's web user interface, representing a critical flaw in the application's authentication handling processes. This weakness enables authenticated remote attackers to maintain persistent access to the dashboard environment through session hijacking techniques, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the protected network monitoring system. The vulnerability specifically affects the session invalidation protocol that should occur when users modify their credentials, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system's failure to properly terminate existing sessions during credential changes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper session lifecycle management within the web application architecture, which aligns with CWE-613, identifying insufficient session management practices that fail to properly invalidate existing sessions upon credential modifications. When a legitimate user authenticates to the application and subsequently changes their credentials through another active session, the system fails to invalidate the original session, leaving the attacker with continued access rights. This flaw operates at the intersection of authentication and session management, creating a persistent access vector that bypasses normal security controls designed to prevent session hijacking and privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Cisco Umbrella Dashboard for network security monitoring and threat intelligence. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data, security policies, and administrative controls within the dashboard environment. The persistent nature of the access means that the attacker can maintain presence within the system for extended periods without requiring additional authentication, potentially enabling prolonged surveillance of network traffic, modification of security policies, or exfiltration of sensitive configuration data. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of security monitoring functions that organizations depend upon for network protection.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites, as attackers only need access to an authenticated session to leverage the session management flaw. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in a web-based interface that is commonly accessed by security administrators and network operators. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting credential access through session hijacking and credential manipulation. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual session behavior and credential modification patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution through Cisco's patching process demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper session management implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive security data.
Cisco's remediation approach involved addressing the session invalidation logic within the application's authentication framework, ensuring that credential changes properly terminate existing sessions and require re-authentication. This fix represents a standard security practice for session management that prevents the type of persistent access described in the vulnerability. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper session lifecycle management in web applications, particularly in security tools where unauthorized access could have severe operational consequences. Organizations should review their own session management implementations against similar vulnerabilities and ensure that credential modification processes properly invalidate existing sessions to prevent similar exploitation scenarios.