CVE-2019-4617 in Cloud Automation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cloud Automation Manager 3.2.1.0 does not renew a session variable after a successful authentication which could lead to session fixation/hijacking vulnerability. This could force a user to utilize a cookie that may be known to an attacker. IBM X-Force ID: 168645.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4617 affects IBM Cloud Automation Manager version 3.2.1.0 and represents a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of user authentication processes. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly invalidate or regenerate session identifiers upon successful authentication, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially hijack user sessions by leveraging previously established session cookies that remain valid even after legitimate authentication occurs. This behavior creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker who has obtained a valid session cookie can continue to use it to impersonate the authenticated user, effectively bypassing the intended authentication mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, the flaw manifests as a session fixation vulnerability where the system maintains the same session identifier throughout the user's interaction cycle, even when authentication occurs. This pattern violates fundamental security principles for session management and creates opportunities for session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the session handling component of the IBM Cloud Automation Manager system. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-384: Session Fixation, which is categorized under the broader category of session management weaknesses. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002: Access Token Manipulation, as it enables attackers to manipulate session tokens and maintain persistent access to user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows for unauthorized access to cloud automation resources and potentially sensitive configuration data managed through the IBM Cloud Automation Manager. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to automation workflows, deployment configurations, and other administrative functions that the authenticated user would normally have access to. This could result in unauthorized changes to cloud infrastructure, data exfiltration, or disruption of automated processes. The risk is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring additional authentication credentials beyond what is already known to the attacker. Organizations using this version of IBM Cloud Automation Manager face potential exposure to insider threats or external attackers who may have obtained session cookies through various means such as network sniffing, cross-site scripting attacks, or other client-side vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper session management practices including immediate session regeneration upon successful authentication, implementing secure session cookie attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags, and establishing robust session timeout mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to a patched version of IBM Cloud Automation Manager that addresses this session management flaw and implement monitoring for suspicious session activity. The fix should ensure that each successful authentication event triggers a complete session identifier regeneration, preventing attackers from reusing previously obtained session tokens. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular session validation checks can provide additional layers of protection against session hijacking attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing session tracking mechanisms to detect and alert on unusual session behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.