CVE-2024-26331 Overview
CVE-2024-26331 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in ReCrystallize Server 5.10.0.0. The product uses an authorization mechanism that relies on the value of a cookie but does not bind the cookie value to a session ID. Attackers can modify the cookie value within a browser or through client-side code outside a browser to bypass authentication. The flaw is classified under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and is exploitable remotely over the network without privileges or user interaction.
Critical Impact
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can forge a cookie value to bypass authentication and access protected ReCrystallize Server functionality.
Affected Products
- ReCrystallize Server 5.10.0.0
- ReCrystallize Server for Crystal Reports
- Deployments exposing the ReCrystallize web interface to untrusted networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-04-30 - CVE-2024-26331 published to NVD
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-26331
Vulnerability Analysis
ReCrystallize Server 5.10.0.0 enforces authorization decisions based solely on the presence and value of a client-supplied cookie. The application does not associate the cookie with a server-side session identifier, nor does it validate that the cookie was issued for an authenticated principal. An attacker who knows or guesses the expected cookie value can present that value and the server treats the request as authorized.
Because the check happens entirely against attacker-controlled input, no credential exchange, token signature, or session binding gates access. The high EPSS percentile reported for this CVE indicates active interest in the issue across exploit prediction feeds.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper authentication ([CWE-287]). Cookies are transport for client state and must be cryptographically tied to a session record or signed token. ReCrystallize Server treats the raw cookie value as an authorization token, allowing trivial forgery.
Attack Vector
The attack is remote and network-based. An attacker sends an HTTP request to the ReCrystallize Server endpoint with a crafted Cookie header containing the expected value. The server accepts the request as authenticated and returns protected resources. The attacker can perform this with curl, a browser extension, or any HTTP client. No prior credentials, social engineering, or user interaction are required.
For full technical context, see the SensePost disclosure blog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-26331
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP requests to ReCrystallize Server endpoints that succeed without a prior login flow or Set-Cookie exchange.
- Repeated requests carrying identical static cookie values from multiple source IPs.
- Access to administrative or report-generation URLs from external IPs without preceding authentication traffic.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and reverse proxy logs for requests bearing the privileged cookie value without a corresponding authentication event.
- Correlate session establishment events with subsequent authorized requests; flag authorized requests that lack a session creation predecessor.
- Deploy WAF rules that require cookies to match server-issued session tokens stored in a session store.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor the ReCrystallize Server host process for outbound connections or report exports initiated by sessions that never authenticated.
- Alert on HTTP 200 responses to administrative endpoints originating from non-corporate IP ranges.
- Forward web access logs to a centralized analytics platform and baseline normal authentication-to-access ratios.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-26331
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to ReCrystallize Server by placing it behind a VPN or IP allowlist until a vendor fix is verified.
- Contact ReCrystallize support to confirm whether a patched build supersedes 5.10.0.0 and apply it.
- Rotate any application secrets or report data accessible through the exposed instance and review access logs for prior abuse.
Patch Information
No vendor advisory URL is published in the NVD record at the time of writing. Operators should consult the ReCrystallize Server product page and the SensePost disclosure post for current remediation status.
Workarounds
- Place ReCrystallize Server behind a reverse proxy that enforces its own authentication layer such as mutual TLS or SSO before requests reach the application.
- Block direct internet exposure of the ReCrystallize Server web interface using firewall rules.
- Implement WAF policies that strip or validate the vulnerable cookie against a server-side session store on each request.
# Example: restrict access to ReCrystallize Server with iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
