CVE-2014-8870 in Tapatalk
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in mobiquo/smartbanner/welcome.php in the Tapatalk (com.tapatalk.wbb4) plugin before 1.1.2 for Woltlab Burning Board 4.0 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the board_url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
The CVE-2014-8870 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in the Tapatalk plugin for Woltlab Burning Board 4.0 systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the mobiquo/smartbanner/welcome.php component and exists in versions prior to 1.1.2, creating a significant security risk for forum administrators and users. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the board_url parameter, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the redirect behavior of the application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-601, which categorizes open redirect vulnerabilities as weaknesses that enable attackers to redirect users to malicious websites without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper sanitization for user-supplied URL parameters within the Tapatalk plugin's smart banner functionality. When a user visits the welcome.php script with a maliciously crafted board_url parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in a redirect operation. This creates an environment where attackers can construct URLs pointing to phishing sites, malicious domains, or other harmful destinations that appear to originate from legitimate forum domains. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust users place in the forum platform itself, making it more likely that victims will fall for social engineering attacks.
Operationally, this vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing campaigns where attackers can craft convincing redirects that appear to come from trusted forum sources. The impact extends beyond simple malicious redirection as it provides attackers with opportunities to harvest credentials, install malware, or conduct broader social engineering operations. Users who click on links that trigger this redirect will be unknowingly directed to attacker-controlled sites that can mimic the legitimate forum interface. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566, which covers phishing and social engineering tactics that exploit trust relationships with legitimate services.
The security implications of CVE-2014-8870 are substantial for organizations relying on Woltlab Burning Board platforms with the affected Tapatalk plugin. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk that can be exploited repeatedly, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic forums where user engagement is high. The open redirect mechanism essentially provides attackers with a vector to establish credibility with victims while directing them to malicious content, significantly increasing the success rate of phishing campaigns. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open until the plugin is updated to version 1.1.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures.