CVE-2014-5127 in Encore Discovery Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Innovative Interfaces Encore Discovery Solution 4.3 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in an unspecified parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The CVE-2014-5127 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Innovative Interfaces Encore Discovery Solution version 4.3, a widely deployed library discovery system used by academic and research institutions. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically in how it processes URLs without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, will redirect them to attacker-controlled web domains. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, where user interactions are expected to be safe, making it an ideal vector for social engineering attacks and phishing campaigns that can bypass traditional security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's URL processing logic. When users interact with the discovery solution, they may encounter links or navigation elements that contain parameters accepting external URLs. The system fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that will be processed and executed without proper authorization checks. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-601 as an Open Redirect vulnerability, where the application redirects users to external domains without sufficient validation. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to create a deceptive user experience where legitimate-looking links appear to lead to trusted domains but actually redirect to phishing sites or malicious content delivery platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for institutional security and user trust. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns that appear to originate from legitimate library systems, making them much more likely to succeed in credential harvesting or malware distribution. The vulnerability affects users who rely on the discovery solution for accessing library resources, potentially exposing sensitive institutional data and user credentials to unauthorized parties. Organizations using this software face potential regulatory compliance issues, as the vulnerability creates an attack surface that could lead to data breaches and compromise of personally identifiable information. The impact is amplified in environments where users may not be security-aware, making them more susceptible to falling victim to these deceptive redirects.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5127 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures within the application code. Organizations should implement strict URL validation that ensures all redirect parameters only accept known, trusted domains or utilize a whitelist approach for allowed destinations. The system should enforce proper URL parsing and validation routines that reject malformed or suspicious URL formats before processing. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of redirect operations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security patches or updates from the vendor should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability has been known for several years and likely has documented remediation procedures. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training for users to recognize suspicious links and redirect behaviors, while implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious redirect patterns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing and social engineering attacks that leverage web-based redirection to compromise user systems.