CVE-2023-0055 in pyload
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2023
Sensitive Cookie in HTTPS Session Without 'Secure' Attribute in GitHub repository pyload/pyload prior to 0.5.0b3.dev32.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0055 represents a critical security flaw in the pyload repository management system where sensitive session cookies are transmitted over HTTPS without the essential 'Secure' attribute. This configuration creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to intercept and manipulate user sessions. The issue specifically affects versions prior to 0.5.0b3.dev32, indicating that the developers have acknowledged and addressed this weakness in later releases. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user authentication data within the pyload application ecosystem.
This technical flaw stems from improper cookie attribute implementation within the session management framework of the pyload application. When cookies are transmitted without the 'Secure' flag, they can be sent over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, creating opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking. The absence of this attribute violates fundamental web security best practices and creates a pathway for attackers to capture session tokens during network communication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which specifically addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive data through cookies that lack proper security attributes. This weakness allows attackers to potentially exploit the session management system even when users believe they are operating within a secure HTTPS environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0055 extends beyond simple session theft to encompass broader security implications for users of the pyload repository system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and unauthorized modifications to repository contents. The attack vector becomes particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic may be intercepted or where users access the system from public networks. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform credential stuffing attacks, session fixation, and other advanced persistent threats that can compromise the entire repository infrastructure. The risk is amplified because the pyload system typically handles sensitive user data including authentication credentials, repository access permissions, and potentially confidential project information.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address the security gap. The primary recommendation involves updating to pyload version 0.5.0b3.dev32 or later, which includes the necessary fixes for cookie attribute implementation. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other applications or services within their infrastructure that may be vulnerable to similar cookie attribute misconfigurations. The implementation of proper cookie security attributes including 'Secure', 'HttpOnly', and 'SameSite' flags should be enforced across all web applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to the OWASP Top Ten security principles and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against session management flaws. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should establish incident response procedures to address potential breaches resulting from this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1566, specifically targeting credential access through network sniffing and session hijacking techniques that leverage insecure cookie configurations.