CVE-2024-24768 in 1Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2024
1Panel is an open source Linux server operation and maintenance management panel. The HTTPS cookie that comes with the panel does not have the Secure keyword, which may cause the cookie to be sent in plain text if accessed using HTTP. This issue has been patched in version 1.9.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24768 affects 1Panel, an open source Linux server operation and maintenance management panel that provides administrators with a web-based interface for system management. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the panel's session management implementation that could potentially compromise user authentication and system integrity. The issue manifests in the improper configuration of HTTP cookies that are used to maintain user sessions within the web interface. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Secure attribute of the HTTPS cookie, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to protect sensitive session information from being transmitted over unencrypted channels.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of the Secure keyword in the cookie attributes when the 1Panel interface is accessed via HTTP connections. This configuration error creates a scenario where authentication tokens and session identifiers could be transmitted in plain text across the network, making them susceptible to interception by malicious actors. The Secure attribute is a standard security feature that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over encrypted HTTPS connections, preventing their exposure during transmission. When this attribute is missing, the cookie becomes vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and network sniffing operations, particularly when users access the panel through unsecured HTTP connections or when network traffic is not properly encrypted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who intercepts the unsecured cookie could potentially impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to the server management interface. This compromises the integrity of the entire system administration process and could lead to complete system compromise if the compromised session grants administrative privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where network traffic is not properly secured or where users may inadvertently access the panel through HTTP connections, as it undermines the security posture of the entire server infrastructure that relies on 1Panel for management operations.
Organizations utilizing 1Panel should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, with the most effective solution being the upgrade to version 1.9.6 where the issue has been patched. Security teams should also conduct thorough network monitoring to detect any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all access to the panel is properly secured through HTTPS encryption. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which addresses the improper handling of cookies with the Secure attribute, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, as it enables adversaries to obtain valid session tokens that can be used to gain unauthorized system access. Network administrators should also implement mandatory HTTPS enforcement and consider deploying additional security controls such as HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) headers to prevent downgrade attacks and ensure that all communications with the management interface are properly encrypted.