CVE-2013-4046 in SPSS Collaboration
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in IBM SPSS Collaboration and Deployment Services 4.2.1 before 4.2.1.3 IF3 and 5.0 before FP3 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4046 represents a critical open redirect flaw within IBM SPSS Collaboration and Deployment Services versions 4.2.1 through 4.2.1.2 and 5.0 through FP2. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate user navigation by redirecting them to malicious web destinations, creating significant risks for organizations relying on the platform for statistical analysis and data collaboration. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's redirect handling functionality, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that bypass normal security controls. The affected versions represent a broad range of IBM SPSS deployment services that were widely used in enterprise environments for data analysis and statistical modeling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate redirect URLs, specifically when processing user-supplied parameters that control navigation behavior. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious URLs containing crafted redirect parameters that point to phishing sites or malicious domains. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics. When users click on malicious links, they are unknowingly redirected to attacker-controlled domains where they may be prompted to enter sensitive credentials or personal information, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for enterprise environments handling sensitive data. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, which specifically addresses the risk of redirecting users to untrusted domains without proper validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4046 extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can facilitate more sophisticated social engineering campaigns targeting enterprise users who trust the legitimate SPSS platform. Organizations using affected versions face potential data breaches, credential theft, and reputation damage when attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where SPSS is used for handling sensitive statistical data, research findings, or business intelligence, as the redirected traffic could lead to unauthorized access to confidential information. Additionally, the widespread adoption of IBM SPSS services across various industries means that the potential attack surface is extensive, with numerous organizations at risk. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges or complex attack chains, making it accessible to attackers with basic web application exploitation knowledge.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address this vulnerability, specifically the 4.2.1.3 IF3 and 5.0 FP3 releases. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and URL filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not replace proper patching. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any instances where the vulnerable software is running in the environment. User education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before clicking on links, particularly in email communications or external websites. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns in web server logs and implementing proper input validation controls for all redirect parameters. Organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for SPSS services and regularly review access controls to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical need for proper input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for Phishing and T1071 for Application Layer Protocol usage.