CVE-2015-8094 in HUE
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Cloudera HUE before 3.10.0 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the next parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The CVE-2015-8094 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in Cloudera HUE versions prior to 3.10.0, exposing organizations to significant phishing and social engineering risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the web application's handling of the next parameter in URLs, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate user navigation. The flaw exists within the authentication and redirection mechanisms of the HUE web interface, which is commonly used for data analysis and management within Hadoop ecosystems. When users are directed through the application's authentication flow, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the next parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that will be executed upon successful authentication. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where HUE serves as a central access point for data platform operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the HUE application's URL redirection logic. The next parameter typically serves legitimate purposes such as directing users back to their originally requested page after authentication, but the application fails to implement proper URL validation checks. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing the next parameter with crafted redirect targets, such as phishing sites or malicious file download pages. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability, which is categorized under the broader CWE-20 Improper Input Validation weakness. This weakness falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, as it enables attackers to create convincing phishing campaigns by redirecting users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass the application's normal access controls and redirect users to any website they choose, undermining the security of the entire authentication flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the enterprise environment. Organizations using Cloudera HUE for data platform access become vulnerable to credential theft, malware distribution, and data exfiltration attempts through these redirects. When users authenticate through the compromised HUE interface, they may be unknowingly redirected to attacker-controlled sites that can harvest credentials, install malware, or collect sensitive data. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on HUE as a gateway to Hadoop clusters, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to large-scale data platforms. The impact is amplified in environments where HUE is used for administrative tasks, as attackers could potentially redirect administrators to malicious sites while they perform routine maintenance. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for credential harvesting attacks, where attackers redirect users to phishing sites that mimic the legitimate HUE interface, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and access credentials.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Cloudera HUE version 3.10.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this release includes proper input validation for the next parameter. Security teams should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious URL patterns and redirect attempts, particularly those involving external domains or unusual URL structures. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation for all redirect parameters, implementing a whitelist approach for allowed redirect destinations, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and strict access controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for application security. Security teams should also perform user awareness training to help identify potential phishing attempts that may exploit this vulnerability, as the human element remains a critical component in defending against such attacks.