CVE-2012-1023 in 4images
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in admin/index.php in 4images 1.7.10 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the redirect parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1023 represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in the 4images 1.7.10 content management system. This security weakness resides within the admin/index.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the redirect parameter handling mechanism, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the redirection flow by injecting arbitrary URLs into the application's administrative interface.
This open redirect vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-601, which specifically addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to external sites without proper validation. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear to originate from legitimate administrative interfaces, creating a deceptive environment that can be exploited for social engineering attacks. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper input sanitization or domain validation before processing the redirect parameter, allowing attackers to specify any web address they choose.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a vector for conducting sophisticated phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. When users are redirected through the compromised administrative interface, they may be tricked into believing they are accessing legitimate administrative resources while actually being directed to malicious websites. This opens the door for credential theft, malware distribution, and other malicious activities that can compromise user accounts and system integrity. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in administrative contexts where users trust the interface and may not scrutinize URLs carefully.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all redirect parameters, ensuring that only predefined, trusted domains are permitted for redirection. Organizations should also consider implementing a whitelist approach for redirect destinations, where only specific internal URLs or approved external domains are allowed. Additionally, the application should validate that redirect URLs are properly encoded and that they do not contain suspicious characters or patterns commonly associated with malicious redirection attempts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering techniques, highlighting the phishing implications of such open redirect flaws.