CVE-2012-2279 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the Security Console in EMC RSA Authentication Manager 7.1 before SP4 P14 and RSA SecurID Appliance 3.0 before SP4 P14 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2018
The CVE-2012-2279 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Security Console of EMC RSA Authentication Manager 7.1 and RSA SecurID Appliance 3.0 versions prior to SP4 P14. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 category of Open Redirect, which is classified as a security weakness where an application redirects users to external websites without proper validation of the destination URL. The flaw specifically affects the authentication management systems that are widely deployed in enterprise environments for securing access to critical digital assets. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious links that appear to originate from legitimate authentication portals, exploiting the trust relationship between users and the authentication system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the redirect mechanisms of the RSA Security Console. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating URL parameters or redirect endpoints to force users toward malicious websites. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description indicate that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, including but not limited to direct URL manipulation, crafted authentication requests, or session hijacking scenarios. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the authentication layer, where users naturally trust the system interface, making social engineering attacks significantly more effective.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2279 extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it enables sophisticated attack chains that can lead to complete credential compromise and unauthorized access to protected systems. When users are redirected to attacker-controlled sites, they may unknowingly enter their authentication credentials, which are then captured by the malicious actors. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves phishing for credentials through crafted web content. The attack vector can be amplified through various delivery methods including email campaigns, compromised websites, or social media platforms, making it a versatile tool for threat actors targeting enterprise environments that rely on RSA authentication systems.
Organizations utilizing affected RSA Authentication Manager and SecurID Appliance versions face significant risk exposure due to this vulnerability. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the authentication system serves as a gateway to sensitive corporate resources, financial systems, or customer data repositories. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product versions indicates a systemic issue in the authentication framework that requires immediate remediation. Security teams must implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious redirect activities and user behavior anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular patch management processes and the need for security controls that can detect and prevent unauthorized redirection attempts within authentication systems.
Recommended mitigations for CVE-2012-2279 include immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security patches for RSA Authentication Manager 7.1 SP4 P14 and RSA SecurID Appliance 3.0 SP4 P14, along with implementing additional defensive measures such as URL validation policies, web application firewalls, and enhanced monitoring of redirect operations. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their authentication infrastructure to identify any additional redirect vulnerabilities, while implementing user education programs to recognize and report suspicious authentication prompts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and the potential consequences of relying on outdated authentication systems in enterprise environments.