CVE-2023-5035 in PT-G503
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in PT-G503 Series firmware versions prior to v5.2, where the Secure attribute for sensitive cookies in HTTPS sessions is not set, which could cause the cookie to be transmitted in plaintext over an HTTP session. The vulnerability may lead to security risks, potentially exposing user session data to unauthorized access and manipulation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2023
This vulnerability affects PT-G503 Series devices running firmware versions prior to v5.2 and represents a critical security flaw in cookie handling mechanisms. The issue stems from the absence of the Secure attribute in sensitive cookies used during HTTPS sessions, creating a dangerous scenario where session data could be transmitted in plaintext over HTTP connections. This fundamental flaw violates established security protocols and exposes user sessions to potential interception and manipulation. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-614, which addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive data through improper cookie configuration, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and credential dumping. The root cause lies in the firmware's failure to properly implement secure cookie attributes during session management, creating a pathway for attackers to capture session tokens and impersonate legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to user accounts. When cookies lack the Secure attribute, they become susceptible to transmission over unencrypted HTTP connections, particularly during redirects or mixed-content scenarios where HTTPS transitions to HTTP. This creates multiple attack surfaces where malicious actors can intercept session identifiers and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where network traffic may be intercepted or where devices might inadvertently fall back to HTTP connections, making it exploitable across various network configurations and attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version v5.2 or later, which addresses the cookie attribute implementation issue. Organizations must also implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect and prevent mixed-content scenarios that could trigger the vulnerability. Additional protective measures include enforcing strict HTTPS-only policies, implementing proper cookie security headers, and conducting regular security assessments of network devices. The fix should ensure that all sensitive cookies are properly configured with the Secure attribute, preventing transmission over non-encrypted channels. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious cookie transmission patterns, while adhering to NIST SP 800-53 security controls for secure configuration management and access control. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and ensure ongoing protection against similar vulnerabilities.