CVE-2008-4284 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the ibm_security_logout servlet in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 5.1.1.19 and earlier 5.x versions, 6.0.x before 6.0.2.33, and 6.1.x before 6.1.0.23 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via the logoutExitPage feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The CVE-2008-4284 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in IBM WebSphere Application Server's authentication handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically affects the ibm_security_logout servlet which is responsible for managing user logout operations within the web application server. The flaw exists in multiple versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server including 5.1.1.19 and earlier 5.x releases, 6.0.x versions prior to 6.0.2.33, and 6.1.x versions before 6.1.0.23. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of the logoutExitPage parameter, which is designed to specify where users should be redirected after successful logout operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the logout servlet's processing logic. When a user initiates a logout sequence, the system accepts a logoutExitPage parameter that determines the destination URL for the redirected user. However, the servlet fails to validate or sanitize this parameter, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary URLs. This occurs because the application directly uses the provided parameter value without proper sanitization or domain restriction checks, creating a pathway for malicious redirection. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-601 as an Open Redirect vulnerability, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security where applications redirect users to untrusted destinations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and directly enables sophisticated phishing attacks. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious URLs that contain crafted logoutExitPage parameters pointing to fraudulent websites. When authenticated users click on these malicious links and subsequently log out of their WebSphere applications, they are automatically redirected to attacker-controlled domains. This creates an ideal environment for credential harvesting attacks, as users who believe they are simply logging out of a legitimate application are instead directed to fake login pages designed to capture their credentials. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access WebSphere applications with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access levels through credential theft.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1566 technique for Phishing and T1071.1004 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish a foothold through social engineering by leveraging the trust users place in legitimate logout processes. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including input validation, URL whitelisting, and strict domain verification for all redirect parameters. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to patched versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper parameter validation and sanitization. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict the use of external redirect parameters, implement proper access controls for logout functionality, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all user-supplied input, particularly in authentication and session management components, as these areas represent prime targets for attackers seeking to manipulate user sessions and extract sensitive information.