Analyst readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-25160 affects Perl applications using HTTP::Session2 through version 1.09. The library did not properly validate user-supplied session IDs. Depending on the session storage backend, an attacker could inject backend commands or cause other unintended behavior. The clearest documented case is memcached-backed session storage.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted dependency remediation item, not an emergency internet-wide event. Prioritize business-critical Perl applications using HTTP::Session2, especially with memcached sessions. Patch during the next appropriate security maintenance window unless exposure review shows sensitive systems are affected.
Technical view
HTTP::Session2 accepted session IDs without format validation, a CWE-20 input validation flaw. The CVE describes potential command injection when memcached is used as the session backend. CVSS 3.1 is 6.5: network reachable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with limited confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Perl applications that use HTTP::Session2 versions through 1.09 and accept session IDs from clients. Risk is higher when the configured session backend interprets session ID content, especially memcached as cited by the CVE.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is indicated by the provided sources, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation depends on application configuration and the session backend. The public description gives memcached command injection as an example but does not establish impact for every backend.
Researcher notes
The source data includes a patch reference and HTTP::Session2 1.10 release notes. The affected-version metadata is less clear than the narrative description, so validate against actual package versions and code usage. Impact is backend-dependent; do not assume universal code execution from the CVE text alone.
Mitigation direction
- Identify applications using the HTTP-Session2 Perl package.
- Upgrade HTTP::Session2 to version 1.10 or later where applicable.
- Review vendor release notes and patch details before production rollout.
- Prioritize systems using memcached-backed session storage.
- Add application-side validation for session ID format where feasible.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Perl dependencies for HTTP-Session2 usage.
- Confirm deployed HTTP::Session2 versions are not through 1.09.
- Review application configuration for memcached session storage.
- Check whether session IDs are accepted from untrusted client input.
- Verify upgraded deployments use the fixed package version.
Public sources used
Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-25160 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N3.92.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/tokuhirom/HTTP-Session2/commit/813838f6d08034b6a265a70e53b59b941b5d3e6d.patchCVE reference · patch
- https://metacpan.org/release/TOKUHIROM/HTTP-Session2-1.10/source/ChangesCVE reference · release-notes
- https://metacpan.org/pod/Cache::Memcached::Fast::SafeCVE reference · related
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/02/27/13CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Input Validation
Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.