CVE-2018-10651 in XenMobile Server
Summary
by MITRE
There are Open Redirect Vulnerabilities in Citrix XenMobile Server 10.8 before RP2 and 10.7 before RP3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10651 represents a critical open redirect flaw affecting Citrix XenMobile Server versions prior to specific release patches. This vulnerability resides within the server's authentication and redirection mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit user trust and manipulate web traffic. The affected versions include Citrix XenMobile Server 10.8 before release pack 2 and 10.7 before release pack 3, indicating that organizations running these older versions face significant security risks. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate to users while redirecting them to unauthorized external destinations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of redirect parameters within the XenMobile Server's web interface. When users click on specially crafted links or are redirected through compromised web applications, the server fails to properly verify the target URL against a whitelist or validate that the redirection destination originates from trusted sources. This weakness enables attackers to construct malicious redirection URLs that can lead users to phishing sites, malware distribution platforms, or other malicious web resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect, which specifically addresses the risk of redirecting users to untrusted websites through inadequate input validation. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, compromised web applications, or social engineering techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized redirection, creating significant risks for enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations using affected XenMobile Server versions face potential credential theft, malware infections, and data exfiltration through user manipulation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that XenMobile Server serves as a mobile device management platform, often containing sensitive corporate data and user credentials. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to mobile device management systems, potentially compromising entire mobile device fleets. The vulnerability also enables advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers can establish footholds within enterprise networks through user deception and social engineering tactics. This open redirect vulnerability can be combined with other attacks to create more sophisticated exploitation chains, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile device management systems serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10651 require immediate implementation of software updates and patches provided by Citrix to address the specific redirect validation flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating their XenMobile Server installations to versions that include the necessary security fixes, particularly focusing on release packs 2 for version 10.8 and release pack 3 for version 10.7. Network administrators should implement additional security controls including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, URL filtering mechanisms that prevent access to known malicious domains, and strict access controls that limit exposure to potentially compromised redirection endpoints. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices should be enforced across all web applications, particularly those handling user authentication flows. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous redirect patterns and suspicious user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure to identify any additional vulnerabilities that might be exploited in conjunction with this open redirect flaw. Compliance with industry standards including those outlined in the ATT&CK framework should be maintained, particularly focusing on defense evasion and credential access tactics that attackers might employ through this vulnerability.