CVE-2016-6877 in XenMobile Server
Summary
by MITRE
Citrix XenMobile Server before 10.5.0.24 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to trigger HTTP 302 redirections via vectors involving the HTTP Host header and a cached page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6877 affects Citrix XenMobile Server versions prior to 10.5.0.24 and represents a significant security flaw that enables man-in-the-middle attackers to manipulate HTTP redirection behavior through strategic exploitation of the Host header and cached page mechanisms. This vulnerability operates within the context of web application security where proper handling of HTTP headers and cache management becomes critical for maintaining secure communication channels.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the server's improper processing of HTTP Host headers in conjunction with cached page responses, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious redirections through HTTP 302 status codes. When a user accesses a vulnerable XenMobile Server instance, the server's response to certain Host header values can trigger unintended redirects that bypass normal security controls. This occurs because the server fails to properly validate or sanitize the Host header value before using it in redirect logic, particularly when combined with cached content that may contain outdated or manipulated redirection instructions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection manipulation as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this weakness to redirect users to malicious domains while maintaining the appearance of legitimate server responses, making detection more difficult for network monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the authentication and authorization processes within the XenMobile platform, potentially allowing unauthorized access to corporate mobile device management systems that handle sensitive enterprise data.
Organizations utilizing affected XenMobile Server versions face substantial risk exposure given that the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge of the target system. The attack vector represents a classic example of HTTP header manipulation that aligns with common exploitation patterns documented in the attack framework, specifically relating to web application vulnerabilities that leverage HTTP protocol handling flaws. This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-346, which addresses "Improper Verification of Source of a Communication Channel", and falls under the broader category of web application security issues that can be categorized within the attack tactics of initial access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 10.5.0.24 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to properly validate Host header values and prevent unauthorized redirection manipulation. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns and consider implementing host header validation at the network perimeter through firewalls or reverse proxies. The solution addresses the fundamental flaw in the server's HTTP header processing logic and ensures that cached content cannot be manipulated to trigger malicious redirects. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure to identify potential additional vulnerabilities that may exist in related components or configurations.