CVE-2014-0480 in Django
Summary
by MITRE
The core.urlresolvers.reverse function in Django before 1.4.14, 1.5.x before 1.5.9, 1.6.x before 1.6.6, and 1.7 before release candidate 3 does not properly validate URLs, which allows remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks via a // (slash slash) in a URL, which triggers a scheme-relative URL to be generated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0480 resides within the Django web framework's core.urlresolvers.reverse function, affecting multiple versions including 1.4.14, 1.5.9, 1.6.6, and pre-release versions of 1.7. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to manipulate URL generation mechanisms and execute phishing attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the function's inadequate validation of URL components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the framework's URL resolution system. The issue stems from how Django handles scheme-relative URLs, which are URLs that begin with double slashes and inherit the scheme from the current context. When attackers can inject a // (slash slash) sequence into a URL parameter, the reverse function generates scheme-relative URLs that can be misused in phishing campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the core.urlresolvers.reverse function's failure to properly sanitize input parameters before constructing URLs. When a URL contains a double slash sequence, the function creates scheme-relative URLs that can be interpreted differently by browsers and web applications. This behavior allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various input vectors including form submissions, API endpoints, and user-generated content that gets processed through Django's URL resolution system. According to CWE-601, this vulnerability maps to URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, which is a well-documented security weakness where applications redirect users to potentially malicious domains. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed by any attacker who can influence URL parameters processed by the reverse function.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0480 extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass broader security risks within web applications built on Django. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate user navigation and potentially steal credentials, personal information, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack surface includes any Django application that utilizes the reverse function for URL generation, particularly those that accept user input or process external data through URL construction. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in applications that rely heavily on URL generation for navigation, authentication flows, or API integrations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment and T1566.002 - Phishing: Spearphishing Link, as it enables attackers to craft deceptive URLs that appear to originate from trusted sources. The impact is amplified in environments where users trust the application domain and may not notice the scheme-relative URL redirection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0480 require immediate patching of affected Django versions to the recommended secure releases. Organizations should upgrade to Django 1.4.14, 1.5.9, 1.6.6, or the corresponding stable releases of Django 1.7. Additionally, developers should implement input validation and sanitization measures for URL parameters, particularly those processed through the reverse function. Security teams should monitor application logs for suspicious URL patterns and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious URL construction attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper URL validation and the need for security-conscious development practices. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the potential damage from successful phishing attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other framework components. The fix implemented in the patched versions ensures that the reverse function properly validates URL schemes and prevents the generation of scheme-relative URLs from user-controlled input, thereby eliminating the attack vector for this specific vulnerability.