CVE-2012-5338 in JForum
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in JForum 2.1.9 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the returnPath parameter in a validateLogin action to jforum.page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The CVE-2012-5338 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in JForum version 2.1.9, a widely used forum software platform. This vulnerability exists within the validateLogin action of the jforum.page component and specifically targets the returnPath parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the redirection behavior of the application by injecting malicious URLs into the returnPath parameter, potentially compromising user security and trust. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the authentication flow, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to redirect unsuspecting users to attacker-controlled domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that, when processed by the vulnerable JForum application, cause the system to redirect users to arbitrary web addresses. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the returnPath parameter before using it in the redirect operation. The flaw operates at the application logic level where user input directly influences the redirect destination, bypassing normal security controls that would typically validate destination URLs against a whitelist of approved domains. This open redirect condition creates a significant security risk as it enables attackers to create convincing phishing pages that appear to originate from legitimate forum domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated vector for conducting phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. Users who authenticate through the vulnerable system may be unknowingly redirected to malicious websites that mimic legitimate forum interfaces or other trusted domains, potentially leading to credential theft, malware distribution, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects the integrity of user trust within the forum environment and can be particularly effective because users are already authenticated or in the process of authentication, making them more likely to follow redirects without suspicion. This flaw can be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more comprehensive compromise scenarios, undermining the security posture of the entire forum infrastructure.
Organizations using JForum 2.1.9 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of the returnPath parameter, implementing strict domain whitelisting for redirect destinations, and updating to patched versions of the software. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 open redirect weakness and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing. Security measures should include monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious redirect attempts, and conducting security awareness training for users to recognize potential phishing attempts. Additionally, the fix should involve proper URL validation that ensures redirect destinations are either internal to the application or explicitly approved external domains, preventing the use of arbitrary URLs in the returnPath parameter.