CVE-2018-11407: Symfony/security core Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-35c5-28pg-2qg4
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CVSS 9.8
CWE-287
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2018-11407 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) authentication bypass vulnerability (CWE-287: Improper Authentication) affecting Symfony/security core libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves symfony authentication bypass. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7.

CVE-2018-11407 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2018-11407
GHSA Identifier GHSA-35c5-28pg-2qg4
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.8
CWE Classification CWE-287: Improper Authentication
Affected Product Symfony/security core
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2018-11407

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Symfony/security core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

symfony/security-core fixed: 2.8.37 
Upgrade symfony/security-core to 2.8.37
symfony/security-core fixed: 3.3.17 
Upgrade symfony/security-core to 3.3.17
symfony/security-core fixed: 3.4.7 
Upgrade symfony/security-core to 3.4.7
symfony/security-core fixed: 4.0.7 
Upgrade symfony/security-core to 4.0.7
symfony/security fixed: 2.8.37 
Upgrade symfony/security to 2.8.37
symfony/security fixed: 3.3.17 
Upgrade symfony/security to 3.3.17
symfony/security fixed: 3.4.7 
Upgrade symfony/security to 3.4.7
symfony/security fixed: 4.0.7 
Upgrade symfony/security to 4.0.7
symfony/symfony fixed: 2.8.37 
Upgrade symfony/symfony to 2.8.37
symfony/symfony fixed: 3.3.17 
Upgrade symfony/symfony to 3.3.17
symfony/symfony fixed: 3.4.7 
Upgrade symfony/symfony to 3.4.7
symfony/symfony fixed: 4.0.7 
Upgrade symfony/symfony to 4.0.7
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for symfony/security-core

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2018-11407, inspect your project dependencies for Symfony/security core:

inspect dependencies for symfony/security-core

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Symfony/security core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.8.37), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-287: Improper Authentication, where when an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. In Symfony/security core, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

An issue was discovered in the LDAP component in Symfony 2.8.x before 2.8.37, 3.3.x before 3.3.17, 3.4.x before 3.4.7, and 4.0.x before 4.0.7. It allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by logging in with a "null" password and valid username, which triggers an unauthenticated bind. **NOTE:** this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-2403.

CVE-2018-11407 Affected Symfony/security core Versions

12 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.8.373.3.173.4.74.0.7
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
symfony/security-core
 Packagist
≥ 2.8.0
< 2.8.37
2.8.37
symfony/security-core
 Packagist
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.3.17
3.3.17
symfony/security-core
 Packagist
≥ 3.4.0
< 3.4.7
3.4.7
symfony/security-core
 Packagist
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.0.7
4.0.7
symfony/security
 Packagist
≥ 2.8.0
< 2.8.37
2.8.37
symfony/security
 Packagist
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.3.17
3.3.17
symfony/security
 Packagist
≥ 3.4.0
< 3.4.7
3.4.7
symfony/security
 Packagist
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.0.7
4.0.7
symfony/symfony
 Packagist
≥ 2.8.0
< 2.8.37
2.8.37
symfony/symfony
 Packagist
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.3.17
3.3.17
symfony/symfony
 Packagist
≥ 3.4.0
< 3.4.7
3.4.7
symfony/symfony
 Packagist
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.0.7
4.0.7

References

NVD — CVE-2018-11407 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11407
Symfony/security core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/symfony/symfony/pull/27377
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/symfony/symfony/commit/b46fc93785d37ffa5d706a82cd175b33ce8f2934
Symfony/security core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/security-core/CVE-2018-11407.yaml
Symfony/security core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/security/CVE-2018-11407.yaml
Symfony/security core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/symfony/CVE-2018-11407.yaml
Symfony/security core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/symfony/symfony
symfony.com/blog/cve-2018-11407... WEB
https://symfony.com/blog/cve-2018-11407-unauthorized-access-on-a-misconfigured-ldap-server-when-using-an-empty-password
symfony.com/cve-2018-11407 WEB
https://symfony.com/cve-2018-11407

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-11407?
CVE-2018-11407 is a security vulnerability in Symfony/security core involving Symfony Authentication Bypass under CWE-287: Improper Authentication.
Which Symfony/security core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7 across affected packages: symfony/security-core, symfony/security, symfony/symfony.
What version fixes CVE-2018-11407?
Upgrading to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is symfony/security-core affected?
Yes, symfony/security-core is affected in releases prior to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7. Upgrade your dependency to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7 or later.
Is symfony/security affected?
Yes, symfony/security is affected in releases prior to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7. Upgrade your dependency to 2.8.37, 3.3.17, 3.4.7, 4.0.7 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-11407?
CVE-2018-11407 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-11407?
CVE-2018-11407 is classified under CWE-287: Improper Authentication (When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.).
How can I check Packagist dependencies for CVE-2018-11407?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for symfony/security-core'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-35c5-28pg-2qg4",
  "modified" : "2024-04-25T22:11:25Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-14T03:10:52Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-11407" ],
  "summary" : "Symfony Authentication Bypass",
  "details" : "An issue was discovered in the LDAP component in Symfony 2.8.x before 2.8.37, 3.3.x before 3.3.17, 3.4.x before 3.4.7, and 4.0.x before 4.0.7. It allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by logging in with a \"null\" password and valid username, which triggers an unauthenticated bind.  **NOTE:** this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-2403.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.8.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.8.37"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.3.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.4.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.0.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.8.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.8.37"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.3.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.4.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/security"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.0.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/symfony"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.8.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.8.37"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/symfony"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.3.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/symfony"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.4.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "symfony/symfony"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.0.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11407"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/symfony/symfony/pull/27377"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/symfony/symfony/commit/b46fc93785d37ffa5d706a82cd175b33ce8f2934"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/security-core/CVE-2018-11407.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/security/CVE-2018-11407.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/symfony/symfony/CVE-2018-11407.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/symfony/symfony"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://symfony.com/blog/cve-2018-11407-unauthorized-access-on-a-misconfigured-ldap-server-when-using-an-empty-password"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://symfony.com/cve-2018-11407"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-287" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-04-25T22:11:25Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2018-06-13T16:29:00Z"
  }
}