CVE-2011-4553 in One Click Orgs
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple open redirect vulnerabilities in One Click Orgs before 1.2.3 allow (1) remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via the return_to parameter, and allow (2) remote authenticated users to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via crafted characters in the domain name of a subdomain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2018
The CVE-2011-4553 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in the One Click Orgs plugin version prior to 1.2.3, exposing systems to sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors that collectively undermine user security and trust in the affected system. The primary vector involves the return_to parameter which, when manipulated by remote attackers, can redirect users to malicious third-party websites. This creates an ideal environment for phishing campaigns where unsuspecting users are led to fraudulent sites that mimic legitimate organizations. The secondary vector targets authenticated users who can exploit crafted characters within subdomain domain names to achieve similar redirection effects, expanding the attack surface beyond simple external threats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's redirect handling mechanisms. When the return_to parameter is processed without proper validation, the system fails to verify that the destination URL belongs to the legitimate domain or is otherwise trustworthy. This validation gap allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that bypass normal security checks. The subdomain exploitation aspect demonstrates how character encoding or parsing flaws in domain name handling can create additional attack vectors, particularly when the system fails to properly sanitize special characters that may be used in domain name construction. Both attack vectors leverage the fundamental principle that users trust links originating from their expected domain, making the redirection attack particularly effective for deception.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for both individual users and organizational security postures. Attackers can craft convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate to users, potentially harvesting credentials, personal information, or financial data. The authenticated user vector is particularly concerning as it allows for more sophisticated attacks where insiders or compromised accounts can be used to redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-601, which describes open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for phishing attacks. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential data breaches when users fall victim to these redirection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4553 require immediate patching of the One Click Orgs plugin to version 1.2.3 or later, which should include proper input validation and URL sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive URL validation that ensures redirect destinations are either within the trusted domain or explicitly authorized for redirection. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious redirect patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all plugin and application components to identify similar vulnerabilities in the broader software ecosystem. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to detect potential redirect vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The remediation process must include user education about suspicious redirects and the importance of verifying URLs before entering sensitive information, as this vulnerability demonstrates how even well-intentioned users can be deceived by seemingly legitimate but malicious redirections.