CVE-2015-2749 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Drupal 6.x before 6.35 and 7.x before 7.35 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the destination parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2749 represents a critical open redirect flaw affecting Drupal content management systems across multiple versions. This security weakness exists in Drupal 6.x versions prior to 6.35 and Drupal 7.x versions prior to 7.35, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these platforms. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of URL parameters within the Drupal framework's redirect functionality, allowing malicious actors to manipulate user navigation through crafted web requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the destination parameter in Drupal's redirect mechanisms. When users attempt to access protected resources or perform actions requiring authentication, the system processes a destination parameter that specifies where users should be redirected upon successful completion. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs that contain arbitrary destination parameters, bypassing the normal validation processes that should restrict redirects to legitimate internal paths. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2749 extends beyond simple redirection, creating a vector for sophisticated phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. When users encounter manipulated links, they may be unknowingly redirected to malicious websites that mimic legitimate domains, enabling attackers to harvest credentials, personal information, or install malware. The vulnerability particularly affects user trust relationships with websites, as users may not realize they are being redirected to untrusted domains. Organizations running vulnerable Drupal installations face significant reputational damage and potential regulatory compliance issues when such attacks occur, as they demonstrate inadequate security controls over user authentication flows.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-601 weakness classification, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for Initial Access through Social Engineering, where attackers leverage user trust to gain unauthorized access to systems. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patching of affected Drupal versions to the recommended secure releases, along with implementing additional security controls such as proper input validation, URL sanitization, and monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential redirect vulnerabilities within their web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation controls to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in web applications.