CVE-2019-18946 in Solutions Business Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2021
Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager Application Repository versions prior to 11.7.1 are vulnerable to session fixation.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18946 affects Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager Application Repository versions before 11.7.1, presenting a critical session fixation weakness that compromises user authentication security. This flaw allows attackers to exploit the session management mechanism by forcing users to reuse existing session identifiers, effectively enabling unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly invalidate or regenerate session tokens upon successful authentication, creating a persistent security risk that persists across user sessions.
Session fixation vulnerabilities represent a well-documented threat category classified under CWE-384, where an attacker manipulates session identifiers to hijack user sessions. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application does not adequately handle session token lifecycle management, particularly during authentication processes. In affected versions of the Business Manager Application Repository, the system fails to generate fresh session identifiers upon user login, allowing an attacker who has already obtained a valid session token to maintain access even after legitimate users authenticate. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited across multiple user sessions, fundamentally undermining the application's authentication framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to maintain prolonged access to sensitive business applications and data repositories. An attacker could potentially gain access to critical business information, modify application configurations, or perform administrative functions within the Business Manager environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of business processes managed through the application repository, particularly impacting organizations that rely on this platform for critical business operations. The persistence of the vulnerability across multiple sessions means that even if users log out and back in, the attacker can continue to exploit the compromised session identifier.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18946 require immediate implementation of proper session management protocols, including mandatory session token regeneration upon successful authentication and the enforcement of secure session handling practices. Organizations should upgrade to Micro Focus Business Manager Application Repository version 11.7.1 or later, which includes patched session management mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include implementing session timeout policies, enforcing secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, and deploying network monitoring to detect suspicious session-related activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for bypassing application access controls and represents a critical weakness in the application's authentication system that requires immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors.