CVE-2018-17422 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
dotCMS before 5.0.2 has open redirects via the html/common/forward_js.jsp FORWARD_URL parameter or the html/portlet/ext/common/page_preview_popup.jsp hostname parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17422 affects dotCMS versions prior to 5.0.2 and represents a critical open redirect flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors to facilitate phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability exists within the content management system's handling of URL parameters in two specific.jsp files: html/common/forward_js.jsp and html/portlet/ext/common/page_preview_popup.jsp. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the FORWARD_URL parameter in forward_js.jsp and the hostname parameter in page_preview_popup.jsp to redirect users to arbitrary external domains without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the dotCMS application framework. When the system processes these parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in redirect operations. This creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious URLs containing crafted parameters that will be interpreted as legitimate redirect targets by the vulnerable application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to create convincing phishing pages that appear to originate from legitimate dotCMS domains. An attacker could construct a malicious URL that, when clicked by an authenticated user, would redirect them to a malicious site designed to capture credentials or install malware. This opens the door to credential theft, data exfiltration, and further network compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers who do not require direct access to the system, making it a prime target for remote exploitation campaigns.
The flaw aligns with CWE-601 open redirect vulnerability classification and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 credential harvesting through phishing and T1071 application layer protocol for command and control communications. Organizations using vulnerable dotCMS installations face increased risk of successful social engineering attacks, as the open redirect functionality can be used to bypass security controls that might otherwise prevent access to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper parameter handling in web applications, particularly in content management systems that process user-supplied data for navigation purposes.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to dotCMS version 5.0.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing strict URL validation rules, deploying web application firewalls with content filtering capabilities, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious redirect patterns, and security awareness training should be implemented to help users recognize potential phishing attempts that might exploit such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include reviewing all similar parameter handling mechanisms within the application to ensure no other open redirect vulnerabilities exist.