CVE-2021-42948 in HotelDruid Hotel Management Software
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
HotelDruid Hotel Management Software v3.0.3 and below was discovered to have exposed session tokens in multiple links via GET parameters, allowing attackers to access user session id's.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-42948 affects HotelDruid Hotel Management Software versions 3.0.3 and earlier, representing a critical session management flaw that exposes sensitive authentication tokens through insecure parameter handling. This issue stems from the software's improper handling of session identifiers within URL query strings, creating a significant security risk for hospitality management systems that process sensitive guest and administrative data.
The technical flaw manifests when session tokens are transmitted via GET parameters in URLs rather than through secure HTTP headers or POST requests. This design decision violates fundamental security principles for session management and creates an attack surface where malicious actors can capture session identifiers simply by observing network traffic or intercepting links shared between users. The vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-614, which covers the insecure storage of session tokens. When session tokens are embedded in URLs, they become susceptible to logging by web servers, browser history, proxy servers, and any intermediary systems that process HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it compromises the entire authentication framework of the hotel management system. Attackers who obtain these exposed session tokens can impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, guest reservation data, billing information, and other sensitive operational details. This risk is particularly severe in hospitality environments where systems handle personal identifiable information, financial transactions, and confidential guest records. The vulnerability enables persistent unauthorized access that can remain undetected for extended periods, potentially leading to data breaches, financial fraud, and compliance violations under regulations such as gdpr and pci dss.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure session management practices that eliminate the exposure of session tokens in URLs. Organizations should enforce the use of secure HTTP headers for session identification, implement proper session token handling through POST requests, and ensure that session identifiers are never transmitted via GET parameters. The remediation process must include comprehensive code reviews to identify all instances where session tokens are improperly exposed, along with network traffic monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, session timeout mechanisms, and regular security audits will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system versions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the owasp top ten and the mitre attack framework, particularly in addressing issues related to session management and credential exposure.