CVE-2010-4900 in CMS WebManager-Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in c.php in CMS WebManager-Pro 8.1 and earlier 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 • 01/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4900 represents a critical open redirect flaw within the CMS WebManager-Pro 8.1 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the c.php script. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate user redirection behavior by injecting malicious URLs through the url parameter, creating a significant vector for social engineering and phishing attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's redirect functionality, allowing unauthorized parties to craft deceptive links that appear legitimate while directing users to malicious destinations.
This open redirect vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 category of URL Redirector Abuse, where applications fail to properly validate redirect URLs and instead accept user-provided input without adequate sanitization. The flaw operates by accepting any URL provided in the url parameter without verifying its legitimacy or origin, effectively creating a trust boundary violation where user input directly controls application behavior. Attackers can exploit this by crafting URLs that redirect users from trusted domains to phishing sites or malicious resources, leveraging the perceived legitimacy of the original domain to increase successful attack rates. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be used to bypass security measures such as browser warnings that typically alert users to suspicious redirects, as the initial redirect appears to originate from a legitimate source.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4900 extends beyond simple redirection, as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated phishing campaigns and credential theft operations. When users encounter links that appear to come from trusted sources, they are more likely to interact with malicious content, making this vulnerability particularly effective for social engineering attacks. The flaw can be exploited across various attack vectors including email campaigns, compromised websites, and social media platforms where attackers can distribute malicious links that redirect victims to credential harvesting sites or malware distribution points. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing, where attackers leverage deceptive redirects to gain initial access to victim systems through credential compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and URL sanitization mechanisms within the CMS WebManager-Pro application. Organizations should implement strict URL validation that ensures redirect targets are either internal to the application or explicitly approved external domains, while also implementing proper logging and monitoring of redirect activities to detect potential abuse. The solution involves modifying the c.php script to validate the url parameter against a whitelist of approved domains or implementing a secure redirect function that verifies the destination URL is within the application's trusted scope. Additionally, security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to prevent unauthorized redirects, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include user education about suspicious redirects and the importance of verifying URLs before clicking on them, as this vulnerability can be effectively mitigated through both technical controls and operational security measures.