CVE-2020-15767 in Gradle
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Gradle Enterprise before 2020.2.5. Lack of the secure attribute on the anti-CSRF cookie allows an attacker (with the ability to read HTTP traffic) to obtain a user's anti-CSRF token if the user initiates a cleartext HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-15767 resides within Gradle Enterprise software versions prior to 2020.2.5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms. This issue manifests through the improper configuration of anti-CSRF cookies, specifically the absence of the secure attribute that should be mandated for cookies handling sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability fundamentally compromises the security model designed to prevent unauthorized requests from being executed on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical flaw stems from the implementation of anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the Gradle Enterprise platform where cookies are transmitted without the secure flag. This configuration oversight enables attackers positioned within the network to intercept cleartext HTTP traffic and extract the anti-CSRF tokens that are essential for maintaining session integrity. The vulnerability operates under the principle that when cookies lack the secure attribute, they can be transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections, making them susceptible to interception by malicious actors who have access to the network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to bypass critical security controls designed to prevent unauthorized actions within the Gradle Enterprise environment. When a user initiates a cleartext HTTP request, the anti-CSRF token becomes exposed in the HTTP traffic, allowing an attacker to capture this token and subsequently forge requests that appear legitimate to the system. This scenario creates a pathway for attackers to potentially execute unauthorized operations within the Gradle Enterprise platform, potentially leading to unauthorized access to build configurations, code repositories, or other sensitive project data.
The security implications align with CWE-311, which addresses the absence of sensitive data protection mechanisms, and specifically relates to the improper handling of security-sensitive cookies. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves the exploitation of unsecured network protocols to capture credentials and session tokens. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient attention to security configurations can create exploitable conditions, particularly when dealing with authentication tokens and session management components.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Gradle Enterprise version 2020.2.5 or later, which properly implements the secure attribute on anti-CSRF cookies. Additionally, network administrators should enforce mandatory HTTPS usage for all communications with the Gradle Enterprise instance, ensuring that all cookie transmission occurs over encrypted channels. The implementation of HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) headers further strengthens protection by forcing browsers to use secure connections exclusively. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in HTTP traffic that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security assessments should verify that all authentication-related cookies properly implement security attributes including secure, httponly, and same-site flags.