CVE-2017-1748 in Connections
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Connections 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 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: 135521.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
This vulnerability resides in IBM Connections versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0, representing a critical open redirect flaw that enables remote attackers to execute sophisticated phishing campaigns. The technical implementation involves improper validation of redirect parameters within the web application's URL handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate while secretly directing users to attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web framework's redirect functionality, making it particularly dangerous due to its ability to bypass user trust mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple redirection, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and exfiltrate sensitive data. Attackers can exploit this flaw by creating malicious web pages that contain specially crafted URLs pointing to the vulnerable IBM Connections instance, which then redirects users to phishing sites designed to capture credentials or install malware. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, where the open redirect serves as a delivery mechanism for initial compromise. Users who click on seemingly legitimate links within the IBM Connections environment may unknowingly navigate to malicious sites that appear to be trusted corporate resources.
The security implications are particularly severe given that IBM Connections serves as a collaboration platform where users frequently access sensitive business information and communicate with colleagues. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to establish a foothold within enterprise networks, potentially leading to data breaches, credential theft, and further lateral movement attacks. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise from threat actors, making it a preferred method for initial access in targeted campaigns. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of credential harvesting, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise, as the redirect mechanism can be leveraged to create convincing phishing experiences that bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected IBM Connections versions to address the underlying redirect validation flaws, while implementing additional security controls such as strict URL validation policies, web application firewalls, and user education programs to recognize suspicious redirection patterns. Network-level controls including redirect filtering and monitoring of suspicious URL patterns can provide additional layers of defense. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users identify potential phishing attempts and establish proper incident response procedures for handling suspected open redirect attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.