CVE-2008-2878 in Academic Web Tools
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in rss_getfile.php in Academic Web Tools (AWT YEKTA) 1.4.3.1, and 1.4.2.8 and earlier, allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2878 represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Academic Web Tools (AWT YEKTA) software suite, specifically affecting versions 1.4.3.1 and 1.4.2.8 and earlier. This issue resides in the rss_getfile.php component which processes user input through the file parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate web navigation and potentially execute sophisticated social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied URLs, allowing attackers to craft malicious links that appear legitimate while redirecting users to attacker-controlled domains.
From a technical perspective, this open redirect vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's parameter handling system. The rss_getfile.php script directly incorporates user-provided URL values into the redirect functionality without implementing proper sanitization or domain verification processes. This flaw aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to external sites without sufficient validation. The vulnerability creates a dangerous condition where any user input passed through the file parameter can be interpreted as a valid redirect target, bypassing the application's intended security boundaries and potentially enabling attackers to construct convincing phishing pages that mimic legitimate academic or institutional interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for both end users and institutional security. Attackers can exploit this flaw to conduct phishing campaigns by redirecting users to malicious sites that appear to be legitimate academic resources or institutional portals. This opens opportunities for credential theft, malware distribution, and data exfiltration, particularly in educational environments where users may trust institutional domains. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in academic settings where users may be less vigilant about verifying URLs, making them more susceptible to successful social engineering attacks. Organizations using affected versions of AWT YEKTA face potential compromise of user credentials and institutional data, as well as damage to their reputation through successful phishing operations that exploit the legitimate application framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters. System administrators must implement strict URL validation that ensures redirect targets are either internal to the application domain or explicitly authorized external domains. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist validation mechanism that only permits redirection to pre-approved destinations while rejecting any external URLs that do not meet strict security criteria. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing proper HTTP response code handling that prevents automatic redirects and instead requires explicit user confirmation before navigating to external sites. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics including phishing through manipulated web redirects. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of all web application components to identify similar validation flaws and ensure that proper security controls are implemented across the entire application stack.