CVE-2023-22732 in Shopware
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2023
Shopware is an open source commerce platform based on Symfony Framework and Vue js. The Administration session expiration was set to one week, when an attacker has stolen the session cookie they could use it for a long period of time. In version 6.4.18.1 an automatic logout into the Administration session has been added. As a result the user will be logged out when they are inactive. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22732 affects Shopware, an open source commerce platform built on Symfony Framework and Vue.js technologies. This security flaw resides in the administrative session management system where session expiration was configured to last for one week, creating a significant window of opportunity for attackers who manage to obtain valid session cookies. The extended session duration poses a substantial risk to administrative access control, as it allows unauthorized parties to maintain persistent access to the platform's administrative interface for extended periods. This configuration essentially provides a backdoor that remains open for seven days after initial compromise, significantly amplifying the potential impact of session hijacking attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session timeout configuration within the Shopware administration panel. When attackers successfully steal session cookies through methods such as cross-site scripting attacks, man-in-the-middle techniques, or compromised credentials, they can leverage these stolen sessions for up to seven days without requiring re-authentication. This extended validity period bypasses normal security controls that would typically enforce more frequent authentication requirements. The vulnerability specifically impacts the administrative interface where sensitive operations and system configurations are managed, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Shopware for their e-commerce operations. This flaw aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and represents a classic example of weak session management practices that can lead to prolonged unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking scenarios, as it fundamentally weakens the platform's access control mechanisms and creates persistent security risks for administrators. Organizations using affected Shopware versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and complete administrative compromise. The long session duration means that even if security monitoring detects suspicious activity, the attacker may have already established sustained access that could go unnoticed for extended periods. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with multiple administrators or those operating in environments where session security is paramount, as it provides attackers with extended opportunities to perform malicious activities including data exfiltration, system configuration changes, and privilege escalation. The risk is compounded by the fact that session cookies can be easily transmitted over networks and potentially intercepted through various attack vectors, making the window of exploitation quite broad.
Shopware addressed this vulnerability in version 6.4.18.1 by implementing automatic logout functionality that terminates administrative sessions after periods of inactivity. This mitigation approach directly addresses the root cause by enforcing session timeouts based on user activity rather than fixed time intervals. The automatic logout mechanism ensures that sessions expire when users are inactive, significantly reducing the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit stolen session cookies. Organizations should immediately upgrade to this patched version to remediate the vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for this specific issue. The implementation of automatic logout aligns with security best practices and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that administrative access is only maintained during active use. This approach also supports compliance requirements and security frameworks that mandate proper session management controls. The fix represents a critical improvement to the platform's security posture and demonstrates the importance of regular security updates in maintaining robust access controls. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of administrative sessions to detect potential unauthorized access attempts and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.