CVE-2013-2764 in Secure Entry Server
Summary
by MITRE
Secure Entry Server before 4.7.0 contains a URI Redirection vulnerability which could allow remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks due to HSP_AbsoluteRedirects being disabled by default.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2021
The CVE-2013-2764 vulnerability resides within the Secure Entry Server software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.7.0. This security flaw represents a significant weakness in the server's handling of web redirects and authentication flows. The vulnerability manifests when the HSP_AbsoluteRedirects parameter is disabled by default, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for malicious purposes. The Secure Entry Server serves as a critical component in enterprise authentication infrastructure, managing access controls and user authentication processes for various network services and applications. When properly configured, this server should enforce strict redirect policies to prevent unauthorized redirection attempts that could compromise user sessions and authentication integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the default configuration where HSP_AbsoluteRedirects is set to false, allowing relative redirects to be processed without proper validation. This configuration creates a path traversal scenario where attackers can manipulate URI parameters to redirect users to malicious websites while maintaining the appearance of legitimate authentication pages. The flaw essentially enables a form of open redirect vulnerability where user navigation can be hijacked without proper input sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs that, when clicked by authenticated users, redirect them to phishing sites that mimic legitimate authentication portals, potentially capturing credentials or other sensitive information. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects the server's redirect handling logic, which is typically implemented in the web application's response processing code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can facilitate more sophisticated social engineering campaigns and credential harvesting operations. When users are redirected to malicious sites through these open redirect vectors, they may unknowingly provide credentials to attackers who have crafted convincing replica authentication pages. The default disablement of HSP_AbsoluteRedirects creates a persistent risk for organizations using affected Secure Entry Server versions, as the vulnerability remains active without explicit configuration changes. This issue particularly affects enterprise environments where the server manages access to multiple applications and services, as successful exploitation can potentially compromise access to sensitive corporate resources. The vulnerability also impacts user trust in the authentication system, as users may unknowingly interact with malicious sites that appear legitimate due to the redirect mechanism.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Secure Entry Server version 4.7.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper configuration defaults and enhanced redirect validation. The primary fix involves enabling HSP_AbsoluteRedirects parameter by default and implementing strict input validation for all redirect parameters. Security administrators should also review existing redirect configurations and ensure that all redirect URLs are validated against a whitelist of approved destinations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious redirect patterns and anomalous user behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before entering credentials, particularly when redirected from authentication systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 Phishing, specifically targeting the credential access phase of the attack lifecycle where adversaries seek to obtain user authentication information through deceptive means.