CVE-2014-3054 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple open redirect vulnerabilities in the Unified Task List (UTL) Portlet for IBM WebSphere Portal 7.x and 8.x through 8.0.0.1 CF12 allow remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3054 represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Unified Task List (UTL) Portlet component of IBM WebSphere Portal versions 7.x and 8.x through 8.0.0.1 CF12. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate URL redirection parameters, creating a dangerous pathway for malicious activity. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically targets the portal's task list functionality where users encounter navigational links that fail to properly validate destination URLs. The open redirect issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the portlet's redirection logic, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. This flaw falls under CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to external sites without proper validation. The security implications extend beyond simple redirection as this vulnerability can be exploited for sophisticated phishing campaigns, where users are tricked into visiting malicious websites that appear to be legitimate portal resources. The attack vector involves manipulation of URL parameters that control navigation within the portal's task list interface, making it accessible to attackers who can craft deceptive links to redirect unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the UTL portlet's handling of redirect parameters, where the application fails to validate that redirect destinations originate from trusted sources within the portal environment. Attackers can exploit this by constructing URLs with malicious redirect parameters that bypass the portal's security controls, allowing them to redirect users to phishing sites or malicious domains. The flaw operates by accepting user-supplied input without proper sanitization, validation, or domain restriction checks, thereby enabling arbitrary redirection. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate portal functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems. The attack surface includes any user interaction with the task list functionality that involves external link navigation, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that IBM WebSphere Portal is widely deployed in enterprise environments where users trust the portal interface, making social engineering attacks more effective when combined with this technical weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3054 extends significantly beyond immediate redirection capabilities, creating substantial risk for enterprise security posture and user trust. Organizations utilizing affected IBM WebSphere Portal versions face potential compromise through phishing attacks that leverage the vulnerability to redirect users to malicious sites designed to capture credentials or install malware. The attack can be executed through various means including email phishing campaigns, compromised web pages, or social engineering tactics that exploit the trust users place in legitimate portal navigation. Security teams must consider the potential for credential theft, data exfiltration, and reputational damage when addressing this vulnerability. The open redirect mechanism provides attackers with a stealthy method of delivering malicious content without triggering traditional security controls that might detect direct malicious URLs. This vulnerability can be particularly effective in targeted attacks against specific organizations, where attackers craft convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate within the portal context. The exploitation process typically requires minimal technical skill, making it accessible to threat actors of varying capability levels and increasing the overall threat landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3054 should focus on implementing robust input validation and domain restriction controls within the UTL portlet functionality. Organizations must ensure that all redirect parameters undergo strict validation to confirm that destination URLs belong to trusted domains within the portal environment. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing web application attacks through input validation and output encoding. Security patches and updates from IBM should be implemented immediately to address the vulnerability at its source, as the vendor has provided specific fixes for affected versions. Network-level controls including web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious redirect patterns. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about phishing risks and the importance of verifying destination URLs before clicking on links within portal applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include validation of redirect functionality to ensure that proper controls remain effective. The remediation process must also include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing open redirect vulnerabilities. Configuration management practices should enforce strict controls over portal portlet configurations to prevent unauthorized modifications that could reintroduce the vulnerability.