CVE-2017-2166 in GroupSession
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in GroupSession version 4.7.0 and earlier allows an attacker to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2019
The CVE-2017-2166 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in GroupSession version 4.7.0 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of URL redirection mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate user navigation flows. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of redirect parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that would seamlessly redirect unsuspecting users to attacker-controlled domains. Such flaws typically occur when applications fail to properly verify the destination of redirect requests, particularly in web applications that implement automatic redirection based on user input or session parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting specially formatted URLs that contain malicious redirect targets within the application's parameter handling system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to construct phishing pages that appear legitimate to users, as the initial redirect originates from a trusted GroupSession domain. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically affecting web interfaces that utilize redirect functionality for session management or navigation purposes. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-601 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where web applications redirect users to external sites without proper validation of the target URL. The attack vector typically involves social engineering components where users are lured to click on malicious links that appear to originate from legitimate GroupSession services.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2166 extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for user security and organizational reputation. Users who fall victim to such attacks may unknowingly provide sensitive information to phishing sites that mimic legitimate GroupSession interfaces. The vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing campaigns where attackers can harvest credentials, personal information, or financial data from unsuspecting users. Organizations utilizing affected GroupSession versions face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and loss of user trust. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where GroupSession may be used for collaboration, file sharing, or communication platforms, as these systems often contain sensitive business information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which encompasses social engineering tactics including phishing, making it a significant threat vector in modern cyber attack frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2166 require immediate implementation of proper URL validation mechanisms within GroupSession applications. Organizations should implement strict validation of redirect targets using allowlists of approved domains rather than relying on user-supplied parameters. The fix involves ensuring that all redirect operations verify the destination URL against a predefined whitelist or implement absolute URL validation to prevent redirection to external domains. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade GroupSession to versions that address this vulnerability, as the flaw affects all versions prior to the remediation. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface, particularly focusing on input validation and session management components that may exhibit similar weakness patterns.