CVE-2011-1594 in Spacewalk
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Spacewalk, as used in Red Hat Network Satellite. This open redirect vulnerability allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites by manipulating a URL in the url_bounce parameter. This can enable attackers to conduct phishing attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure or credential theft.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1594 represents a critical open redirect flaw within Spacewalk, the system management platform that forms the backbone of Red Hat Network Satellite services. This security weakness manifests in the improper validation of URL parameters, specifically within the url_bounce parameter handling mechanism. The flaw exists at the application level where user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or validated before being used to construct redirection URLs. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs that contain specially formatted url_bounce parameters, which then get processed by the vulnerable Spacewalk application and result in unintended redirections to attacker-controlled web resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation practices within the Spacewalk application codebase. When the application processes the url_bounce parameter, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it to construct redirect URLs. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary URLs that bypass normal validation checks and redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the web application layer and specifically affects the redirect functionality that Spacewalk uses for various administrative and user navigation purposes. The flaw falls under the category of CWE-601 Open Redirect, which is classified as a weakness in the input validation and output encoding practices of web applications. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple URL manipulation without requiring any special privileges or advanced attack techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1594 extends beyond simple redirection attacks and creates significant security risks for organizations using Red Hat Network Satellite systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by redirecting users to carefully crafted malicious websites that mimic legitimate administrative interfaces or user portals. These redirections can lead to credential theft, as users may unknowingly enter their authentication details on compromised sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability also enables the delivery of malware through malicious file downloads or the exploitation of additional vulnerabilities present on the attacker-controlled sites. Organizations utilizing Spacewalk for system management and monitoring are particularly at risk since administrators and users frequently interact with the platform, making them prime targets for social engineering attacks. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability can be exploited through various access points including web interfaces, API endpoints, and potentially automated scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1594 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices within the Spacewalk application. The primary remediation involves modifying the url_bounce parameter handling to validate that redirect URLs belong to trusted domains or to implement strict URL validation that prevents redirection to external sites. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual redirection patterns or suspicious URL parameter usage. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 Phishing and T1071.1001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it enables attackers to leverage web application weaknesses for malicious redirection purposes. Organizations should ensure that their Spacewalk installations are updated to versions that address this vulnerability and implement comprehensive security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential phishing attempts that may exploit this weakness.