CVE-2018-7692 in NetIQ eDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
Unvalidated redirect vulnerability in in NetIQ eDirectory before 9.1.1 HF1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The CVE-2018-7692 vulnerability represents a critical unvalidated redirect flaw within NetIQ eDirectory software prior to version 9.1.1 HF1, exposing organizations to significant security risks through malicious redirection attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the eDirectory platform, which serves as a core component in enterprise directory services and identity management systems. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate redirect parameters within the application's authentication flow, potentially enabling them to redirect users to malicious websites or exploit the authentication process in unintended ways.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the redirect functionality of the NetIQ eDirectory service. When users attempt to authenticate or navigate through the system, the application accepts redirect URLs without proper validation of their destination targets. This lack of validation creates an attack surface where malicious actors can craft specially crafted URLs containing malicious redirect parameters that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, affecting the core authentication mechanisms that enterprises rely upon for secure access to directory services and associated resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7692 extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques including credential theft, session hijacking, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to redirect authenticated users to malicious sites that attempt to capture credentials or inject malicious content into the authentication flow. Organizations utilizing NetIQ eDirectory for identity management, single sign-on services, and enterprise directory access face elevated risk of unauthorized access to sensitive corporate resources. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where eDirectory serves as a central authentication point for multiple applications and services, amplifying the potential damage from a successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 9.1.1 HF1, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the redirect functionality. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and ingress/egress filtering to monitor and restrict suspicious redirect traffic. Security teams must conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected eDirectory installations within their environments and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 which specifically addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through phishing and social engineering attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including multi-factor authentication, enhanced monitoring of authentication flows, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of similar redirect vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications.