CVE-2014-5122 in ArcGIS for Server
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in ESRI ArcGIS for Server 10.1.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via an unspecified parameter, related to login.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The CVE-2014-5122 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in ESRI ArcGIS for Server version 10.1.1, specifically affecting the authentication and login mechanisms of this widely used geographic information system platform. This vulnerability resides within the web application framework that governs user access and session management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the redirect behavior during the authentication process. The flaw manifests through an unspecified parameter within the login functionality that fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing redirects to external domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the ArcGIS server's authentication handler. When users attempt to log in to the system, the application processes a parameter that should normally contain a legitimate redirect URL but instead accepts arbitrary inputs without proper verification. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that include crafted redirect parameters, enabling them to direct authenticated users to phishing sites or malicious domains that appear to be legitimate extensions of the ArcGIS platform. The vulnerability specifically leverages the server's trust in user-provided redirect locations without implementing proper domain validation or whitelisting mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, creating significant risks for organizations relying on ArcGIS for critical geographic data management and enterprise applications. Attackers can exploit this flaw to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns where users are redirected to carefully crafted malicious sites that mimic the legitimate ArcGIS interface, potentially capturing credentials or sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the authentication process and undermines user trust in the system, particularly in environments where ArcGIS serves as a central platform for mapping, spatial analysis, and enterprise GIS operations. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive geospatial data, potential data exfiltration, and compromised user sessions that could lead to broader network infiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5122 should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameter sanitization within the ArcGIS server configuration. Organizations must ensure that all redirect parameters undergo strict validation against a predefined whitelist of trusted domains, preventing redirection to arbitrary external sites. The implementation of proper URL validation routines and the enforcement of absolute URLs rather than relative paths can effectively neutralize this vulnerability. Security patches from ESRI should be applied immediately, as the vendor likely released specific fixes addressing this open redirect issue. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious redirect patterns, and user education programs should be implemented to raise awareness about phishing attempts that may exploit this vulnerability. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 open redirect vulnerabilities and represents a significant concern under NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly in areas related to authentication and access control. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for Initial Access through Social Engineering, specifically leveraging credential access and phishing methods that exploit trust relationships within the application ecosystem.