CVE-2017-1000136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a security flaw in Mahara versions prior to 1.8.6, 1.9.4, 1.10.1, and 15.04.0, allowing old sessions to remain valid after a password change.

Understanding CVE-2017-1000136

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mahara versions that could compromise user session security.

What is CVE-2017-1000136?

Versions before 1.8.6 for Mahara, and versions before 1.9.4, 1.10.1, and 15.04.0 are susceptible to a security flaw where old sessions remain valid even after a password has been changed.

The Impact of CVE-2017-1000136

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive information due to the persistence of old sessions.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-1000136

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Mahara versions 1.8.6, 1.9.4, 1.10.1, and 15.04.0 are vulnerable to old sessions not being invalidated after a password change, posing a security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions prior to 1.8.6
Mahara versions before 1.9.4, 1.10.1, and 15.04.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to retain access to user sessions even after a password reset, potentially leading to unauthorized account access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Mahara to versions 1.8.6, 1.9.4, 1.10.1, or 15.04.0 to mitigate the issue.
Encourage users to change their passwords regularly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement multi-factor authentication to enhance account security.
Regularly monitor and audit user sessions to detect any anomalies.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Mahara.
Apply patches promptly to ensure the system is protected from known vulnerabilities.