CVE-2016-3174 in OX AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Open-Xchange OX AppSuite before 7.8.0-rev27. The "defer" servlet offers to redirect a client to a specified URL. Since some checks were missing, arbitrary URLs could be provided as redirection target. Users can be tricked to follow a link to a trustworthy domain but end up at an unexpected service later on. This vulnerability can be used to prepare and enhance phishing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3174 resides within the Open-Xchange OX AppSuite platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.8.0-rev27. This security flaw manifests in the "defer" servlet component which is designed to handle client redirection functionality. The primary issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that govern the URL parameters accepted by this servlet, creating a path for malicious actors to manipulate the redirection behavior. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation that enables unauthorized redirection to arbitrary web addresses, fundamentally compromising the integrity of user navigation within the application ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that exploit the missing validation checks in the defer servlet's parameter handling. When users interact with the application and are directed through the vulnerable servlet, the system fails to properly verify or sanitize the target URL parameter, enabling attackers to specify any destination they choose. This weakness creates a trust exploitation scenario where users believe they are navigating to a legitimate domain but are instead redirected to attacker-controlled services. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple redirection as it provides a mechanism for sophisticated phishing campaigns that leverage the perceived legitimacy of the original domain to deceive users into revealing sensitive information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for phishing operations targeting organizations using the affected Open-Xchange platform. The ability to redirect users to malicious domains without proper validation creates an ideal environment for credential harvesting attacks, malware distribution, and social engineering campaigns. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses URL redirection vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to untrusted domains. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between users and the legitimate application, making it particularly effective for phishing operations that would otherwise be easily detected by traditional security measures.
The exploitation potential of CVE-2016-3174 demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks in enterprise applications. Organizations utilizing Open-Xchange OX AppSuite must prioritize immediate remediation through the available security patches to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 highlights its relevance to phishing and social engineering attacks, particularly those involving malicious redirection. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous redirection patterns and consider deploying web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers. The incident underscores the critical importance of comprehensive input validation and proper security testing procedures, especially for components handling user-directed navigation within web applications. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their application ecosystems to identify similar validation gaps that could be exploited in analogous attack scenarios.