CVE-2016-8953 in Emptoris Sourcing
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Sourcing 9.5.x through 10.1.x could allow a remote attacker to conduct phishing attacks, using an open redirect attack. By persuading a victim to visit a specially-crafted Web site, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to spoof the URL displayed to redirect a user to a malicious Web site that would appear to be trusted. This could allow the attacker to obtain highly sensitive information or conduct further attacks against the victim. IBM X-Force ID: 118840.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8953 affects IBM Emptoris Sourcing versions 9.5.x through 10.1.x, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute open redirect attacks. This vulnerability operates through a sophisticated phishing mechanism that exploits the application's handling of URL redirection parameters, creating a deceptive user experience that can bypass security awareness and trust mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's web interface where user-provided redirect URLs are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's redirect functionality, which falls under the CWE-601 vulnerability category known as "Open Redirect". When users encounter links that should redirect them to external sites, the application fails to verify that the destination URL belongs to a trusted domain or that it has been properly authorized. This allows attackers to manipulate the redirect parameter to point to malicious domains while maintaining the appearance of legitimate navigation within the trusted application interface. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that handle user-supplied redirect URLs without proper sanitization, creating a pathway for social engineering attacks that can be particularly effective due to the trusted context of the originating application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated vector for information theft and further exploitation. When victims are redirected to attacker-controlled domains, they may unknowingly provide credentials, personal information, or execute malicious code within what appears to be a trusted application environment. This creates a dangerous escalation path where initial phishing attempts can lead to credential compromise, session hijacking, or even lateral movement within organizational networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust relationship between users and the application, making it more likely that victims will engage with malicious content. Security analysts have noted that such open redirect vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more complex attack chains, as demonstrated in various ATT&CK framework categories including initial access through phishing and credential access through stolen credentials.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strict URL validation and sanitization of all redirect parameters, implementing a whitelist approach for allowed redirect domains, and adding explicit warnings when users are being redirected to external sites. The vulnerability can be addressed through application-level patches that enforce proper URL validation, but organizations should also consider network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs even when they appear to come from trusted applications, as the vulnerability specifically targets the trust relationship between users and the application interface. Regular security assessments should include testing for open redirect vulnerabilities, and organizations should monitor for suspicious redirect patterns in their application logs to detect potential exploitation attempts.