CVE-2013-3983 in Sametime
Summary
by MITRE
The Meeting Server in IBM Sametime 8.5.2 through 8.5.2.1 and 9.x through 9.0.0.1 does not validate URLs in Cookie headers before using them in redirects, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3983 affects IBM Sametime Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 through 8.5.2.1 and 9.x through 9.0.0.1, representing a significant security flaw in the application's handling of HTTP redirects. This issue stems from insufficient validation of URL parameters within Cookie headers, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20, a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data. The Meeting Server's failure to validate redirect URLs in cookie headers creates an environment where attacker-controlled input could be used to manipulate the application's redirect behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malicious cookie values containing specially formatted URLs that bypass the server's validation mechanisms. When the Meeting Server processes these cookies during redirect operations, it will follow the attacker's specified URL without proper validation, potentially redirecting users to malicious domains. This behavior creates multiple attack vectors including open redirect vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for phishing attacks, cross-site scripting exploitation, or malicious link redirection. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the consequences could range from user deception to more severe exploitation depending on how the redirect functionality is implemented within the specific deployment environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data, where cookie values containing redirect URLs are treated as trusted input without proper verification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations using IBM Sametime Meeting Server, particularly in enterprise environments where secure communication and user trust are paramount. The remote attack vector means that an attacker does not need physical access to the network or system to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible deployments. Attackers could potentially use this flaw to redirect users to phishing sites that mimic legitimate Sametime interfaces, harvesting credentials or sensitive information from unsuspecting users. The vulnerability could also be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack scenarios, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or further network compromise. Organizations relying on Sametime for business communications face a significant risk of user deception and potential data exfiltration through this redirect mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3983 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of cookie header values before any redirect operations occur. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates released for IBM Sametime versions affected by this vulnerability. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns in cookie headers. Additionally, security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that redirect functionality is properly constrained and validated against a whitelist of trusted domains. The implementation of proper access controls and monitoring of redirect operations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training for users to recognize phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including phishing and deceptive redirects, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.