CVE-2023-50328 in PowerSC
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2024
IBM PowerSC 1.3, 2.0, and 2.1 may allow a remote attacker to view session identifiers passed via URL query strings. IBM X-Force ID: 275110.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2024
This vulnerability affects IBM PowerSC versions 1.3, 2.0, and 2.1, where session identifiers are transmitted through URL query strings, creating a significant security risk. The flaw allows remote attackers to potentially intercept and access sensitive session information that should remain confidential. When session identifiers are passed via URL parameters, they become visible in browser address bars, server logs, and web proxy logs, making them susceptible to unauthorized access and session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of session management within the application's web interface, where authentication tokens and session cookies are exposed through the URL structure rather than being transmitted securely through HTTP headers or secure cookies. This design flaw directly violates security best practices for session management and authentication mechanisms. The technical implementation appears to rely on URL-based session tracking rather than implementing proper session cookie handling, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-384, which covers session management flaws. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations using IBM PowerSC, as attackers could leverage captured session identifiers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. The exposure of session information through URL parameters provides attackers with a straightforward method to perform session hijacking attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as session identifiers can be used to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to the system. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers phishing with malicious attachments, and T1531, which addresses tampering with applications. The exposure of session information through URL query strings represents a critical flaw in the application's security architecture, as it provides attackers with direct access to authentication tokens that should remain protected within secure session management mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including URL parameter validation, proper session cookie implementation, and logging controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure session management practices and proper implementation of authentication mechanisms, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security standards and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. This issue requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams to prevent potential exploitation and maintain the integrity of the IBM PowerSC environment.