CVE-2019-4166 in StoredIQ
Summary
by MITRE
IBM StoredIQ 7.6 could allow a remote attacker to conduct phishing attacks, using an open redirect attack. By persuading a victim to visit a specially-crafted Web site, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to spoof the URL displayed to redirect a user to a malicious Web site that would appear to be trusted. This could allow the attacker to obtain highly sensitive information or conduct further attacks against the victim. IBM X-Force ID: 158699.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2023
IBM StoredIQ version 7.6 contains a critical open redirect vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute sophisticated phishing campaigns through malicious web redirects. This vulnerability resides in the application's web handling mechanisms, where user input is not properly validated before being used in redirect operations. The flaw allows attackers to craft deceptive URLs that appear to originate from legitimate IBM StoredIQ endpoints while actually directing users to attacker-controlled malicious websites. The vulnerability operates by manipulating the application's redirect functionality to accept and process unvalidated user-supplied parameters that are then used to construct redirect URLs. This creates a dangerous attack vector where victims may be tricked into believing they are navigating to trusted IBM systems while actually being redirected to phishing sites designed to capture credentials or sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain redirect parameters pointing to malicious domains while maintaining the appearance of legitimate IBM StoredIQ URLs. The attack typically involves constructing a URL that includes a parameter such as redirect_url or destination that gets processed by the application's redirect logic without proper validation. When victims click these malicious links, they are seamlessly redirected to attacker-controlled sites that can be designed to mimic legitimate IBM interfaces, making them particularly effective for credential harvesting attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector since no local access or authentication is required to exploit it, making it highly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with web-based applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to potentially compromise entire enterprise security infrastructures. Organizations using IBM StoredIQ 7.6 become vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering campaigns where attackers can leverage the trust associated with legitimate IBM brand names to increase the success rate of their phishing attempts. The vulnerability can be exploited across multiple attack surfaces including email campaigns, compromised websites, and malicious advertisements that redirect users to phishing sites. This creates a significant risk for enterprises that rely on StoredIQ for data governance and compliance monitoring, as attackers could potentially use the vulnerability to gain access to sensitive data or use the compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within the network. The attack could result in data breaches, credential theft, and potential lateral movement within the enterprise environment, making it a critical concern for organizations handling sensitive information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or restricting the vulnerable redirect functionality, implementing proper input validation for all redirect parameters, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious redirect attempts. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to only accept redirects to pre-approved domains and implementing strict validation of all redirect parameters to prevent malicious input from being processed. Network-level protections should include monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns and implementing security controls that can detect and block attempts to redirect users to external domains. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that even seemingly simple functionality can create significant security risks when not properly secured. Regular security awareness training for users should also be implemented to help identify and report suspicious links that may exploit this or similar vulnerabilities.