CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-53957NVD status: Analyzed

Kimai: Sensitive Cookie with Improper SameSite Attribute

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-53957 is a high-severity sensitive cookie with improper samesite attribute vulnerability in Kimai, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Kimai versions: 1.30.10. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.59% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Kimai you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
KimaiKimai1.30.10Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.08.5HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

Kimai 1.30.10 contains a SameSite cookie vulnerability that allows attackers to steal user session cookies through malicious exploitation. Attackers can trick victims into executing a crafted PHP script that captures and writes session cookie information to a file, enabling potential session hijacking.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Sensitive Cookie with Improper SameSite Attribute

The SameSite attribute for sensitive cookies is not set, or an insecure value is used.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Set the SameSite attribute of a sensitive cookie to Lax or Strict. This instructs the browser to apply this cookie only to same-domain requests, which provides a good Defense in Depth against CSRF attacks. When the Lax value is in use, cookies are also sent for top-level cross-domain navigation via HTTP GET, HEAD, OPTIONS, and TRACE methods, but not for other HTTP methods that are more likely to cause side-effects of state mutation.

More Sensitive Cookie with Improper SameSite Attribute vulnerabilities (CWE-1275)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in Kimai

All Kimai vulnerabilities

Recent Sensitive Cookie with Improper SameSite Attribute vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.