CVE-2015-4371 in Perfecto Module
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the Perfecto module before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal 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 • 04/07/2019
The CVE-2015-4371 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Perfecto module for Drupal platforms prior to version 7.x-1.2. This vulnerability exposes web applications to sophisticated phishing attacks by enabling malicious actors to manipulate user redirection flows through crafted URLs. The flaw specifically resides in how the module handles unspecified parameters, creating a pathway for attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web destinations without proper validation. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input sanitization and output encoding practices, where user-provided data enters the redirection mechanism without adequate filtering or verification processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the absence of proper URL validation within the Perfecto module's redirection logic. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing crafted parameters that bypass normal security checks, allowing them to redirect users from legitimate Drupal sites to phishing pages or malicious domains. This open redirect mechanism operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, social engineering, or compromised website links. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, which specifically addresses situations where web applications redirect users to external domains without sufficient validation. From an operational perspective, this flaw creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can leverage to compromise user trust and harvest sensitive information through deceptive redirection techniques.
The impact of CVE-2015-4371 extends beyond simple redirection, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can bypass traditional security measures. Users who encounter malicious redirects may unknowingly navigate to phishing sites designed to capture login credentials, personal information, or financial data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in credential theft, data exfiltration, and reputational damage to organizations relying on Drupal platforms. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework's initial access and credential access phases, where open redirect vulnerabilities serve as effective entry points for more comprehensive attacks. Organizations utilizing affected Drupal modules face heightened risk during phishing campaigns, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a legitimate-looking redirection path that users are more likely to trust. The flaw underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in modules that handle user interaction and external link management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4371 require immediate patching of the Perfecto module to version 7.x-1.2 or later, which addresses the underlying validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive URL validation mechanisms that verify destination domains against approved lists or employ strict domain checking protocols. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and blocking suspicious redirection patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other modules or custom code that might exhibit similar open redirect behaviors. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on redirection logic will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that legitimate redirection functionality remains intact while eliminating the security loophole that enables malicious redirections.