CVE-2021-25985 in Factor
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
In Factor (App Framework & Headless CMS) v1.0.4 to v1.8.30, improperly invalidate a user’s session even after the user logs out of the application. In addition, user sessions are stored in the browser’s local storage, which by default does not have an expiration time. This makes it possible for an attacker to steal and reuse the cookies using techniques such as XSS attacks, followed by a local account takeover.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25985 affects the Factor application framework and headless cms version range from 1.0.4 through 1.8.30, presenting a critical session management flaw that undermines user authentication security. This issue stems from improper session invalidation mechanisms that fail to effectively terminate user sessions upon logout, creating persistent access tokens that remain viable even after legitimate user termination of their session. The flaw is particularly concerning because it directly violates fundamental web application security principles and creates a pathway for unauthorized access that can be exploited through various attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the insecure storage and management of user sessions within the browser's local storage mechanism. By default, local storage entries lack automatic expiration mechanisms, meaning that session tokens persist indefinitely until explicitly removed by the application or manually cleared by the user. This design choice creates a persistent attack surface where malicious actors can exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities to extract these session tokens from the victim's browser. The combination of persistent session storage with inadequate invalidation procedures creates a dangerous scenario where stolen session data remains valid for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to maintain unauthorized access to user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass full account takeover capabilities. When an attacker successfully executes an XSS attack against a victim user, they can access the local storage where session tokens are stored and subsequently use these tokens to impersonate the legitimate user. This attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed without requiring additional authentication factors, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive user data, modify account settings, or perform unauthorized transactions. The vulnerability essentially undermines the entire authentication and authorization framework of the application, making it a critical security concern for any organization relying on the Factor framework.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues in session management. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1531 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The persistent nature of session tokens stored in local storage creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and potentially across different devices if users maintain similar browsing environments. Organizations implementing the Factor framework should immediately address this vulnerability through proper session invalidation mechanisms, implementation of session expiration policies, and consideration of more secure session storage alternatives such as http-only cookies with proper security attributes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25985 should include immediate implementation of proper session invalidation upon user logout, introduction of automatic session expiration mechanisms, and removal of sensitive session data from local storage. Organizations should also implement comprehensive XSS protection measures including proper input sanitization, content security policies, and regular security auditing of application code. The framework should be updated to utilize secure session storage mechanisms that provide automatic cleanup and expiration of session data, with consideration for implementing additional security controls such as secure cookie attributes, session binding, and multi-factor authentication to further protect against unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's session management architecture.