CVE-2012-5234 in ocPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in index.php in ocPortal before 7.1.6 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 • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5234 represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in the ocPortal content management system prior to version 7.1.6. This security weakness resides within the index.php script and enables malicious actors to manipulate the redirect parameter to direct users toward arbitrary web addresses. The flaw fundamentally stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied URL parameters, creating an avenue for attackers to craft deceptive redirects that appear legitimate to end users. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-601 Open Redirect, which is classified as a security weakness where applications redirect users to external sites without proper validation of the target URL. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple redirection, as it provides attackers with a powerful tool for conducting sophisticated phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize the redirect parameter before processing it. When a user visits a maliciously crafted URL containing an unauthorized redirect parameter, the ocPortal application processes this input without sufficient verification of the target domain or protocol. This lack of validation allows attackers to specify any URL in the redirect parameter, potentially including malicious domains designed to capture user credentials or install malware. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or advanced techniques to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insecure input handling where user-controllable data flows directly into the redirect mechanism without proper sanitization or domain verification.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2012-5234 extends significantly beyond simple website redirection. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to create convincing phishing pages that mimic legitimate ocPortal interfaces, thereby deceiving users into providing sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, or financial details. The open redirect capability enables attackers to establish a trust relationship with users by initially appearing to redirect to a legitimate site before ultimately leading them to malicious destinations. This vulnerability also facilitates the delivery of malware through social engineering campaigns, where users are unknowingly directed to sites hosting malicious code. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many organizations rely on content management systems for their public-facing websites, making these applications prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of ocPortal indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that required a specific patch to address.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5234 should focus on implementing robust input validation and domain whitelisting mechanisms for redirect parameters. Organizations should immediately upgrade to ocPortal version 7.1.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. The implementation of a strict allowlist approach for redirect destinations, where only pre-approved domains are permitted, provides the most effective defense against this type of attack. Additionally, developers should implement proper URL validation routines that verify the target domain against a trusted list and reject any external redirects that do not conform to established security policies. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can also provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious redirect patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper security controls at every layer of application development. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate redirect functionality while effectively blocking malicious redirection attempts. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566 Phishing, specifically targeting the initial access phase of cyber attacks through deceptive redirect mechanisms.