CVE-2015-6501 in Puppet Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the Console in Puppet Enterprise before 2015.2.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via the string parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The CVE-2015-6501 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Puppet Enterprise console component, affecting versions prior to 2015.2.1. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms and specifically targets the string parameter handling within the console interface. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's redirect functionality by crafting malicious URLs that contain unauthorized redirect targets, thereby compromising user security and trust.
This vulnerability operates through the exploitation of inadequate input sanitization and validation within the Puppet Enterprise console's web interface. When users interact with the console and encounter certain string parameters, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in redirect operations. The technical implementation flaw allows attackers to inject malicious redirect targets that can be processed by the web application, creating a pathway for unauthorized redirection. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 category of Open Redirect, which is classified as a security weakness where web applications fail to validate redirect targets, enabling attackers to redirect users to malicious domains.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6501 extends beyond simple redirection, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated vector for conducting phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. When users are redirected to attacker-controlled domains, they may be tricked into entering sensitive credentials or personal information on fraudulent websites that appear legitimate due to the trusted origin of the initial request. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Puppet Enterprise is used for configuration management, as compromised administrators or users could inadvertently provide access to sensitive systems and data. The attack surface is broad since the console interface is typically accessible to users with various privilege levels, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected Puppet Enterprise installations to version 2015.2.1 or later. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, as well as monitoring for anomalous redirect behavior in web application logs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing, specifically targeting the initial access phase where attackers establish footholds through deceptive web interactions. Organizations should also implement strict input validation policies and employ automated security scanning tools that can identify similar open redirect vulnerabilities across their web applications. Additional defensive measures include user education programs to recognize phishing attempts and implementing browser security features such as the Referrer-Policy header to limit information leakage during redirects. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions where user trust and security are paramount.