CVE-2022-21940 in System Configuration Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2023
Sensitive Cookie in HTTPS Session Without 'Secure' Attribute vulnerability in Johnson Controls System Configuration Tool (SCT) version 14 prior to 14.2.3 and version 15 prior to 15.0.3 could allow access to the cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21940 represents a critical security flaw in the Johnson Controls System Configuration Tool (SCT) affecting versions 14 prior to 14.2.3 and version 15 prior to 15.0.3. This issue falls under the category of insecure cookie handling within HTTPS sessions, specifically when the 'Secure' attribute is absent from sensitive cookies. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly implement security controls for session management, creating an exploitable condition that could compromise user authentication and authorization mechanisms. The flaw exists in the web application's cookie management implementation, where sensitive session cookies are transmitted over HTTPS connections without the necessary 'Secure' flag to prevent interception attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper configuration of HTTP cookies that contain sensitive session information. When cookies lack the 'Secure' attribute, they can be transmitted over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, creating a potential attack surface for man-in-the-middle and session hijacking scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the System Configuration Tool, which likely handles administrative functions and sensitive system configurations. This creates a pathway for attackers to potentially capture session cookies during network traffic interception, especially when users navigate between HTTP and HTTPS contexts or when network security controls are insufficient. The absence of the 'Secure' flag means that even if the application properly implements HTTPS, the cookies themselves remain vulnerable to exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management issues, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system configurations and administrative functions. An attacker who successfully intercepts the vulnerable cookies could impersonate legitimate users, access restricted system resources, and potentially modify critical system settings. This represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and building management environments where Johnson Controls SCT is deployed, as these systems often control critical infrastructure components including HVAC systems, lighting controls, and security systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that the affected versions may be widely deployed in enterprise environments, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. The potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where system integrity and security are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21940 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to versions 14.2.3 or 15.0.3 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement comprehensive cookie security policies that enforce the use of the 'Secure' attribute for all sensitive cookies, along with additional security measures such as the 'HttpOnly' and 'SameSite' attributes to further protect against cross-site scripting and cross-site request forgery attacks. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential cookie interception attempts, and security awareness training should be conducted to ensure that administrators understand the importance of proper cookie configuration. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which specifically addresses sensitive cookies transmitted over insecure channels, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and privilege escalation techniques. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications within their environment that may be similarly affected by improper cookie security implementations.