CVE-2013-6971 in WebEx Training Center
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Cisco WebEx Training Center allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCul57140.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2022
The CVE-2013-6971 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in Cisco WebEx Training Center software, which fundamentally undermines user security by enabling malicious actors to manipulate web navigation flows. This vulnerability operates at the application level within the web interface of the training center platform, creating a pathway for attackers to craft deceptive links that appear legitimate while redirecting users to malicious destinations. The flaw specifically affects the authentication and session management components of the WebEx Training Center, where user requests are processed through URL parameters that fail to properly validate or sanitize redirect destinations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the WebEx Training Center's URL handling mechanism, allowing attackers to inject malicious redirect parameters into legitimate URLs. This weakness falls under the CWE-601 category of URL Redirection to Untrusted Site Attack, where applications fail to verify that redirect targets originate from trusted sources. The vulnerability manifests when users click on specially crafted links that contain redirect parameters pointing to attacker-controlled domains, bypassing the normal security checks that should validate destination URLs against a whitelist of approved domains. Attackers can exploit this by embedding malicious URLs within phishing emails or compromised websites, creating a deceptive user experience where legitimate WebEx interfaces appear to redirect to trusted domains while actually leading to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6971 extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated vector for credential theft and malware distribution. When users are redirected to malicious sites through this vulnerability, they may unknowingly enter login credentials for legitimate services, believing they are accessing official WebEx interfaces. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where WebEx Training Center is widely deployed for online education and corporate training, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be combined with other attack vectors such as cross-site scripting or social engineering campaigns to create more effective multi-stage attacks. The impact is further amplified in organizations with less sophisticated security awareness training, where users may not recognize the subtle indicators of phishing attempts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary redirect functionality within WebEx Training Center configurations, implementing strict URL validation mechanisms, and deploying network-level controls to block access to known malicious domains. The mitigation strategies should align with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and incorporate principles from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on defense in depth approaches. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, while also establishing comprehensive user education programs to raise awareness about phishing indicators. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all networked systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing robust access controls in web applications to prevent unauthorized redirection and maintain user trust in digital platforms.