CVE-2008-3261 in claroline
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in claroline/redirector.php in Claroline before 1.8.10 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The CVE-2008-3261 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in Claroline's redirector.php component prior to version 1.8.10. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure redirection as classified by CWE-601, specifically targeting the improper handling of user-supplied URL parameters. The flaw exists within the web application's authentication and navigation framework where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input received through the url parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's redirect behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper input validation mechanisms within the redirector.php script. When users attempt to access protected resources within Claroline, the application redirects them to a specified URL through the url parameter. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs that contain arbitrary destination addresses, bypassing the application's intended security controls. The vulnerability operates by accepting user input without sufficient sanitization, allowing attackers to inject crafted URLs that redirect users to malicious domains. This flaw enables threat actors to construct phishing pages that appear legitimate to users, as the redirect originates from a trusted Claroline domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant security risks for organizations utilizing vulnerable Claroline installations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by redirecting users to malicious sites that mimic legitimate login portals or administrative interfaces. The vulnerability undermines user trust and can lead to credential theft, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive educational resources. Organizations may experience reputational damage when users fall victim to these attacks, as the redirects appear to originate from legitimate Claroline systems. The vulnerability particularly affects educational institutions that rely on Claroline for learning management, as it creates opportunities for attackers to compromise student and faculty accounts.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves updating to Claroline version 1.8.10 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for redirect parameters. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, implementing strict URL validation rules that ensure redirects only occur to whitelisted domains. Network-level controls should monitor for unusual redirect traffic patterns, while security awareness training can help users recognize potential phishing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing injection flaws and insecure redirects. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of redirect operations to detect anomalous behavior, as this vulnerability can be used as part of broader attack chains targeting educational institutions. Implementation of these controls aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security requirements for access control and system monitoring, ensuring comprehensive protection against such open redirect exploits.