CVE-2013-1093 in ZENworks Configuration Management
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the fwdToURL function in the ZCC login page in zcc-framework.jar in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) 11.2 before 11.2.3a Monthly Update 1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via the directToPage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The CVE-2013-1093 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management version 11.2 before 11.2.3a Monthly Update 1. This vulnerability specifically affects the ZCC login page within the zcc-framework.jar component, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this configuration management solution. The flaw resides in the fwdToURL function which processes user redirection requests during the authentication flow, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user trust in legitimate systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the directToPage parameter processing mechanism. When users attempt to access the ZCM login page, the system accepts a directToPage parameter that should ideally restrict redirection to internal application URLs only. However, the flawed validation logic fails to properly sanitize or verify the target URL, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary external URLs. This creates a classic open redirect vulnerability where user requests can be manipulated to redirect to malicious third-party domains without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP parameter manipulation, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it provides attackers with a powerful vector for conducting sophisticated phishing campaigns. When users are redirected to attacker-controlled domains, they may unknowingly provide credentials or sensitive information to malicious actors who have crafted convincing fake login pages. This vulnerability directly enables social engineering attacks by leveraging the trust users place in legitimate ZCM applications, potentially leading to credential theft, unauthorized access to configuration management systems, and broader network compromise. Organizations using affected ZCM versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized system access, particularly in environments where configuration management tools serve as critical infrastructure components.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with applying the vendor-provided patch for ZCM 11.2.3a Monthly Update 1 which resolves the input validation issues in the fwdToURL function. Network-level defenses should include implementing strict URL validation policies and monitoring for suspicious redirection patterns in web application logs. Security teams must also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential open redirect flaws within the ZCM environment or related applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 open redirect weakness classification and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's initial access and credential access tactics, particularly the T1566 phishing technique and T1078 valid accounts sub-technique. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to further protect against exploitation attempts.