CVE-2020-4763 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2020
IBM Sterling File Gateway 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2 and 2.2.0.0 through 2.2.6.5 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: 188897.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4763 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2 and 2.2.0.0 through 2.2.6.5, representing a critical security flaw in session management that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication tokens. This issue stems from the improper configuration of session cookies that lack the secure attribute, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to intercept sensitive authentication data through man-in-the-middle attacks or malicious web content injection. The vulnerability specifically targets the authorization tokens and session cookies used within the IBM Sterling File Gateway application, which are essential components for maintaining user sessions and access control.
The technical flaw manifests when the application generates session cookies without implementing the secure flag, which is a fundamental security mechanism that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over HTTPS connections. Without this attribute, cookies are sent over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, making them vulnerable to interception when users navigate to insecure HTTP URLs or when attackers can manipulate web content to force HTTP requests. This weakness directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-614, which addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive information through the use of HTTP instead of HTTPS protocols. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the lack of secure cookie attributes by crafting malicious HTTP links that can be delivered to victims through phishing campaigns or embedded within compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive file transfer operations within the IBM Sterling File Gateway environment. When users visit compromised websites or are directed to malicious HTTP links, their session cookies containing authorization tokens are transmitted in cleartext over the network, allowing attackers to capture these values and subsequently impersonate legitimate users. This session hijacking capability can lead to unauthorized file access, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the file gateway system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed through simple web-based delivery mechanisms, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and increasing the attack surface significantly.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Sterling File Gateway versions face substantial risk exposure from this vulnerability, as it creates a persistent threat that can be exploited across multiple attack scenarios including web-based phishing campaigns, compromised websites, and network traffic interception. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for phishing attacks and T1046 for network service scanning that can identify insecure HTTP endpoints. IBM has addressed this issue through security updates and patches that enforce the secure attribute on all session cookies and authorization tokens, requiring administrators to apply the latest fixes to mitigate the risk. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect and prevent the transmission of cookies over insecure channels, while ensuring that all user communications with the file gateway occur exclusively over HTTPS connections to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.