CVE-2018-8813 in WolfCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in the login[redirect] parameter login functionality in WolfCMS 0.8.3.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a malformed URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The CVE-2018-8813 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the WolfCMS content management system version 0.8.3.1 authentication mechanism. This vulnerability specifically affects the login functionality's redirect parameter handling, creating a security risk that enables malicious actors to manipulate user navigation after successful authentication attempts. The flaw resides in how the system processes the redirect parameter during the login workflow, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that would redirect users to unauthorized third-party domains. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure redirection as classified by CWE-601, which specifically addresses situations where applications fail to validate redirect destinations, potentially leading to user deception and credential theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the WolfCMS login processing code. When users attempt to access protected areas of the CMS without authentication, they are typically redirected to a login page with a redirect parameter that specifies where they should be sent after successful authentication. The vulnerability occurs because the system does not properly verify that the redirect URL belongs to the legitimate application domain, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary URLs containing external domains. This flaw can be exploited through carefully crafted URLs that contain malicious redirect parameters, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user authentication and session management. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper URL validation and domain restriction checks that are fundamental security practices in web application development.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8813 extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for both users and administrators within the affected WolfCMS installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by redirecting authenticated users to malicious websites that mimic legitimate login portals, potentially capturing credentials or sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the authentication layer, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise if users unknowingly provide their credentials to attacker-controlled sites. This type of attack pattern aligns with the tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and credential access phases, where adversaries exploit authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability also increases the risk of cross-site scripting and other related attacks when combined with other security flaws in the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8813 should focus on implementing proper input validation and domain restriction mechanisms within the authentication flow. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of WolfCMS where this vulnerability has been patched, as the official release includes proper URL validation and redirect destination checks. Security measures should include implementing a whitelist approach for redirect URLs, ensuring that only internal application paths are permitted for redirection after authentication. The system should validate that redirect destinations are within the same domain or explicitly defined trusted domains, preventing unauthorized redirection to external sites. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of redirect parameter usage can help detect suspicious activity. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines, which emphasize the necessity of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access controls to prevent authentication bypass and session hijacking attacks.