CVE-2005-4052 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
e107 0.6174 allows remote attackers to redirect users to other web sites via the download parameter in rate.php, which is used after a user submits a file download rating. NOTE: in the default installation, the e_BASE variable restricts the redirection to the same web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4052 affects the e107 content management system version 0.6174 and represents a cross-site redirection flaw that could be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate user navigation. This vulnerability specifically resides within the rate.php script which handles file download rating submissions, creating a potential vector for malicious redirection attacks that could deceive users into visiting unintended websites.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the download parameter within the rate.php file. When users submit ratings for file downloads, the system processes the download parameter without proper validation to ensure it points to legitimate locations within the same domain. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that contain crafted download parameters directing users to external websites, potentially leading to phishing attacks, malware distribution, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it leverages user trust and can be exploited in conjunction with social engineering techniques to deceive victims into visiting malicious sites. Attackers could manipulate the redirection to point to phishing pages that mimic legitimate banking or social media sites, or to distribution points for malware. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and could affect any user interacting with the file download rating functionality of the affected e107 installation.
While the default installation includes a security measure that restricts redirection to the same website through the e_BASE variable, this protection is not foolproof and can be bypassed or circumvented in certain configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-601, which describes URL redirection vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to untrusted websites. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through phishing, as the redirection could be used to deliver phishing content to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used for redirection purposes. Organizations should ensure that any redirection functionality validates the target URL against a whitelist of approved domains or implements proper URL encoding and validation. The e107 development team should have implemented proper parameter validation in the rate.php script to ensure that all download parameters are verified against the legitimate site's domain before any redirection occurs. Additionally, administrators should review their configurations to ensure that the e_BASE variable is properly enforced and that no bypass mechanisms exist in the application's redirection logic.