CVE-2013-0740 in OpenManage Server Administrator
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) before 7.3.0 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the file parameter to HelpViewer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The CVE-2013-0740 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in Dell OpenManage Server Administrator version 7.3.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the HelpViewer component of OMSA, which is a web-based interface used for system management and monitoring. The flaw exists in the way the application processes URL parameters, particularly the file parameter, which allows unauthorized users to manipulate the application's redirect behavior. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 Open Redirect weakness category, which is classified as a security misconfiguration that enables attackers to redirect users to malicious websites without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the HelpViewer module of Dell OMSA. When users navigate to the HelpViewer interface and provide a file parameter containing a malicious URL, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before executing the redirect operation. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that will redirect legitimate users to phishing sites or malicious web pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the web application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can enable more sophisticated social engineering campaigns and credential theft operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to redirect users to carefully crafted phishing pages that mimic legitimate Dell management interfaces, potentially capturing user credentials or system access information. The vulnerability affects organizations using Dell OpenManage Server Administrator versions prior to 7.3.0, which were commonly deployed in enterprise data centers for server monitoring and management. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as it enables attackers to manipulate user navigation and potentially harvest credentials through deceptive means.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Dell OpenManage Server Administrator version 7.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls or URL filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious redirect attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before entering credentials, particularly when navigating to management interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as recommended by OWASP Top 10 and other security standards. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other web applications and ensure that all systems are running patched versions of software components.