CVE-2015-3190 in Cloud Foundry Runtime
Summary
by MITRE
With Cloud Foundry Runtime cf-release versions v209 or earlier, UAA Standalone versions 2.2.6 or earlier and Pivotal Cloud Foundry Runtime 1.4.5 or earlier the UAA logout link is susceptible to an open redirect which allows an attacker to insert malicious web page as a redirect parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3190 affects the User Account and Authentication (UAA) component within Cloud Foundry deployments, specifically impacting versions of cf-release prior to v209, UAA Standalone versions before 2.2.6, and Pivotal Cloud Foundry Runtime versions before 1.4.5. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the authentication system by enabling unauthorized redirection during the logout process. The vulnerability manifests when the UAA logout functionality fails to properly validate redirect parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the redirection flow.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the UAA logout mechanism, where the system accepts redirect URLs without proper sanitization or verification of their legitimacy. This open redirect vulnerability allows an attacker to craft a malicious logout URL that includes a crafted redirect parameter pointing to a malicious website. When a victim clicks on such a link, they are unknowingly redirected to the attacker-controlled page, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling further attacks. The vulnerability falls under CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications, where the application's failure to validate redirect destinations creates security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it can enable sophisticated social engineering campaigns and phishing operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to redirect users to malicious pages that appear to be legitimate Cloud Foundry logout pages, potentially capturing credentials or session information. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Cloud Foundry is used for application deployment and management, as it undermines the trust model of the authentication system. The attack vector requires minimal technical skill to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments with high user volume or less security-aware personnel. Organizations using affected versions face increased risk of credential theft, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within their cloud infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3190 involve immediate patching of all affected Cloud Foundry components to versions that properly validate redirect parameters. System administrators should implement strict validation of redirect URLs, ensuring that only pre-approved domains or internal paths are accepted during logout operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for redirect destinations provides the most effective defense against this particular vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing security headers such as Content Security Policy to further restrict redirect behavior and monitor for suspicious redirection patterns in their logs. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should also include user education to raise awareness about suspicious logout links and the importance of verifying URLs before clicking. Organizations should establish automated monitoring systems to detect and alert on any attempts to exploit this vulnerability, as the attack can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate user behavior without proper logging and analysis capabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in authentication systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through open redirect vulnerabilities.