CVE-2018-12071 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CodeIgniter prior to version 3.1.9 is affected by a Session Fixation vulnerability due to improper handling of session.use_strict_mode in the Session Library.

Understanding CVE-2018-12071

This CVE entry highlights a security issue in CodeIgniter that could lead to Session Fixation.

What is CVE-2018-12071?

A Session Fixation vulnerability in CodeIgniter versions before 3.1.9 arises from mishandling session.use_strict_mode in the Session Library.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12071

The vulnerability could allow attackers to fixate a user's session ID, potentially leading to unauthorized access and security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12071

CodeIgniter's vulnerability is detailed below.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in CodeIgniter versions prior to 3.1.9 stems from improper session.use_strict_mode handling in the Session Library.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: CodeIgniter
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: All versions before 3.1.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate session IDs, gaining unauthorized access to user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-12071 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade CodeIgniter to version 3.1.9 or newer to mitigate the Session Fixation vulnerability.
Monitor and verify session IDs for any unusual activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure session management practices to prevent session fixation attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for CodeIgniter to address vulnerabilities promptly.