CVE-2020-4749 in Spectrum Scale
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.2 does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The cookie will be sent to the insecure link and the attacker can then obtain the cookie value by snooping the traffic. IBM X-Force ID: 188518.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2020
IBM Spectrum Scale version 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.2 contains a critical security vulnerability related to session management and cookie security implementation. This flaw resides in the authorization token and session cookie handling mechanisms, where the secure attribute is not properly configured on authentication cookies. The secure attribute is a critical HTTP cookie flag that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over HTTPS connections, thereby preventing interception over unencrypted HTTP channels. Without this attribute, cookies are transmitted over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, creating a significant attack vector for man-in-the-middle and cross-site scripting attacks.
The vulnerability stems from improper cookie configuration within the IBM Spectrum Scale web interface authentication system. When users authenticate to the system, the application generates session cookies that should be protected with the secure attribute to ensure they are only transmitted over encrypted connections. However, the implementation fails to include this attribute, making session cookies vulnerable to interception when transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections. This configuration flaw aligns with CWE-614, which specifically addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive data through cookies, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten 2017 category A02: Broken Authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to obtain valid session tokens through various attack vectors. An attacker can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP links and either directly sending them to users or embedding them within compromised websites that users visit. When users click these links, the browser automatically includes the session cookie in the HTTP request, even if the destination site is HTTPS. This allows attackers to capture the cookie values through network traffic snooping, effectively hijacking user sessions and gaining unauthorized access to the IBM Spectrum Scale management interface. The vulnerability creates a direct path for privilege escalation attacks and unauthorized system access, as demonstrated in the IBM X-Force ID 188518 reference.
This security weakness directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering attacks through malicious links and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where IBM Spectrum Scale is deployed, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to bypass authentication and access sensitive storage management functions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly monitored or where users frequently access the system from untrusted networks. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including enforcing HTTPS-only access, manually configuring secure cookie attributes, and implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious cookie transmission patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper cookie security configuration as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls related to secure configuration and access control management.