CVE-2020-4146 in Security SiteProtector System
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2021
IBM Security SiteProtector System 3.1.1 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by missing 'HttpOnly' flag. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 174129.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4146 affects IBM Security SiteProtector System version 3.1.1 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive information through improper cookie configuration. This vulnerability stems from the absence of the HttpOnly flag in session cookies, which creates a significant attack vector that could compromise the security posture of affected systems. The flaw specifically impacts the web application's session management mechanisms, potentially allowing unauthorized access to user sessions and sensitive data.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of HTTP cookies within the IBM Security SiteProtector System's web interface. The HttpOnly flag serves as a crucial security measure that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookies, thereby mitigating cross-site scripting attacks that could otherwise steal session tokens. Without this flag, cookies become accessible to malicious JavaScript code executed in the browser, creating a pathway for attackers to harvest session information and potentially escalate privileges. This issue aligns with CWE-1004 which specifically addresses the lack of proper cookie security attributes in web applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risks to organizations utilizing IBM Security SiteProtector System 3.1.1, as it allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information through session hijacking techniques. The attack surface extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to protected system resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the system is exposed to external networks. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 for credential access and T1071 for application layer protocols.
The impact of this vulnerability extends to the confidentiality and integrity of the security monitoring system, potentially exposing sensitive threat intelligence, system configurations, and user authentication data. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability, particularly in regulated environments such as financial services or healthcare organizations. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to view, modify, or delete sensitive data within the SiteProtector System. Security teams should implement immediate mitigations including patching the system to the latest version, implementing proper cookie security configurations, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all web applications within their environment.
Recommended remediation strategies include applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Security SiteProtector System, implementing proper cookie security attributes including HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, enhanced monitoring for suspicious activities, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other systems. The mitigation approach should align with industry best practices for secure web application development and follow the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments.