CVE-2014-8489 in PingFederate
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in startSSO.ping in the SP Endpoints in Ping Identity PingFederate 6.10.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the TargetResource parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8489 represents a critical open redirect flaw within Ping Identity PingFederate version 6.10.1, specifically affecting the SP Endpoints component. This security weakness resides in the startSSO.ping endpoint which processes authentication requests from service providers. The vulnerability manifests when the TargetResource parameter contains a malicious URL that bypasses proper validation mechanisms, allowing unauthorized redirection to external domains.
This flaw operates as an open redirect vulnerability classified under CWE-601, where the application fails to validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in redirect operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality of PingFederate, which is designed to facilitate secure authentication across multiple applications. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL with a crafted TargetResource parameter, they can manipulate the authentication flow to redirect users to phishing sites or malicious domains, effectively bypassing the security controls that should protect users during the authentication process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on PingFederate for identity management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by crafting URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability affects the core SSO functionality, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which involves phishing with a malicious link, where the open redirect serves as the initial vector to compromise user sessions.
The security implications are particularly severe given that PingFederate is commonly used in enterprise environments where authentication security is paramount. Organizations using this version may experience unauthorized access attempts, credential theft, and potential data breaches when users are redirected to malicious sites. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust relationship that should exist between the identity provider and service providers, as users may unknowingly navigate to fraudulent websites during the authentication process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of PingFederate to versions that address the open redirect flaw, implementation of proper input validation for the TargetResource parameter, and deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns. Organizations should also implement monitoring for anomalous redirect behavior and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their identity management infrastructure. Additionally, user education regarding phishing awareness becomes critical as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics that leverage the legitimate authentication flows of the system.