CVE-2022-4683 in memos
Summary
by MITRE • 12/23/2022
Sensitive Cookie in HTTPS Session Without 'Secure' Attribute in GitHub repository usememos/memos prior to 0.9.0.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4683 represents a critical security flaw in the GitHub repository usememos/memos affecting versions prior to 090. This issue involves the improper handling of session cookies within HTTPS sessions, specifically the absence of the Secure attribute on sensitive cookies. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly configure session cookies for secure transmission over encrypted connections, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the web application generates session cookies for user authentication and tracking purposes. In the affected versions of memos, these cookies are transmitted without the Secure flag, which is a critical attribute that instructs web browsers to only send the cookie over HTTPS connections. Without this attribute, cookies can be transmitted over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, making them susceptible to interception during transmission. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-614, which describes the improper handling of sensitive cookies that should be transmitted securely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management issues. Attackers can exploit this weakness through man-in-the-middle attacks, where they intercept network traffic between users and the memos application. When users authenticate to the application, their session cookies containing sensitive information are transmitted in plaintext over unencrypted connections, allowing attackers to capture these cookies and potentially hijack user sessions. This creates a significant risk for unauthorized access to user accounts and confidential data stored within the memos application.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for credential access through phishing and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations using memos for sensitive data management, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring significant privileges or advanced technical skills. The impact is amplified when considering that memos is designed for collaborative document management and note-taking, making it a likely target for attackers seeking to access confidential information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4683 focus on implementing proper cookie security configurations within the application. The primary fix involves ensuring that all session cookies are generated with the Secure attribute set to true, which prevents transmission over unencrypted HTTP connections. Additionally, organizations should implement proper HTTPS enforcement mechanisms and consider adding the HttpOnly attribute to prevent client-side script access to sensitive cookies. The most effective remediation is upgrading to memos version 090 or later, which includes proper cookie security configurations. Network-level protections such as HSTS headers should also be implemented to enforce secure connections and prevent downgrade attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.