CVE-2012-4824 in Lotus Notes Traveler
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in servlet/traveler in IBM Lotus Notes Traveler 8.5.3 before 8.5.3.3 Interim Fix 1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the redirectURL parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4824 represents a critical open redirect flaw within IBM Lotus Notes Traveler 8.5.3 before 8.5.3.3 Interim Fix 1, specifically affecting the servlet/traveler component. This security weakness enables malicious actors to manipulate the redirectURL parameter and guide users to unauthorized web destinations, creating significant risks for enterprise environments that rely on this collaboration platform. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied URL parameters within the traveler servlet, where insufficient input validation permits arbitrary redirection without proper authorization checks.
From a technical perspective, this open redirect vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of the redirectURL parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The flaw operates by accepting user-provided URLs without proper validation or canonicalization, enabling attackers to craft deceptive links that appear legitimate but redirect users to phishing sites or malicious content. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which categorizes open redirect vulnerabilities as security flaws where web applications redirect users to external sites without proper verification, potentially leading to user deception and credential theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4824 extends beyond simple redirection, as it creates an ideal environment for sophisticated phishing campaigns targeting enterprise users. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious links that appear to originate from trusted IBM Lotus Notes Traveler services, thereby increasing the likelihood of user engagement and credential compromise. Organizations utilizing this version of Lotus Notes Traveler face significant risks including data exfiltration, unauthorized access to corporate resources, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently access the platform from mobile devices or public networks, as these scenarios increase exposure to man-in-the-middle attacks and social engineering tactics.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime candidate for exploitation within the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category, specifically targeting credential access through phishing and social engineering. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when combined with other attack vectors, as users who click on malicious redirect links may unknowingly provide authentication credentials to attackers. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying the available Interim Fix 1 for IBM Lotus Notes Traveler 8.5.3, implementing network-level restrictions on outbound traffic, and establishing user awareness training programs to recognize suspicious redirection attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing URL filtering solutions and monitoring network traffic for unusual redirection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications, particularly those handling user authentication and session management functions.