CVE-2020-21996 in DOMINAplus
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2021
AVE DOMINAplus
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2021
CVE-2020-21996 represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting AVE DOMINAplus systems that operates at the intersection of weak credential handling and insufficient session management. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication tokens within the DOMINAplus platform, allowing attackers to manipulate session identifiers and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly verify the integrity of authentication cookies or tokens, creating a pathway for malicious actors to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core authentication mechanism of the platform, potentially enabling full system compromise without requiring valid credentials. This issue directly relates to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 focusing on valid accounts for lateral movement and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the session management component of DOMINAplus where authentication tokens are generated and validated. Attackers can exploit this weakness by capturing valid session tokens and modifying them to bypass authentication checks, or by creating forged tokens that appear legitimate to the system's validation logic. The flaw exists in the cryptographic validation routines that should ensure token integrity and prevent tampering. When the system processes these manipulated tokens, it fails to properly verify their authenticity, allowing unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive data. This vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue since successful exploitation can lead to elevated access levels beyond what the original user should possess.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-21996 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and operational disruption. Organizations relying on DOMINAplus for critical infrastructure management face significant risk when this vulnerability exists within their environment. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access confidential information, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted by both sophisticated attackers and less experienced threat actors. Recovery from such an attack typically involves comprehensive system reinstallation, credential reset, and security audit procedures that can result in significant operational downtime.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-21996 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should implement proper cryptographic token validation mechanisms that include strong integrity checks and expiration controls. The recommended approach involves deploying robust session management protocols that utilize time-based tokens with proper cryptographic signatures and implementing multi-factor authentication to add additional security layers. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security patches provided by the vendor should be applied immediately, while organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the authentication infrastructure, with particular attention to CWE-312 and CWE-313 categories that address sensitive data exposure and weak encryption implementations.