CVE-2019-4595 in Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition 5.2.0.0 through 5.2.6.5 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: 167878.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4595 affects IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition versions 5.2.0.0 through 5.2.6.5, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute open redirect attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-601 Open Redirect, which occurs when an application redirects users to external websites without proper validation of the target URL. The flaw specifically impacts the web interface components of the B2B integration platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to craft deceptive web pages that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization within the redirect mechanisms of the application's web framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the application's failure to properly validate redirect URLs, allowing attackers to manipulate the redirect parameters to point to malicious domains. When users click on specially crafted links, they are unknowingly redirected through the legitimate IBM Sterling B2B Integrator interface to attacker-controlled websites. This creates a phishing opportunity where users observe what appears to be a trusted redirect from the legitimate application interface, making them more susceptible to credential theft, data exfiltration, or further malicious activities. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between users and the legitimate application, making social engineering more effective.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM Sterling B2B Integrator for business-to-business transactions. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive business data, compromise of trading partner communications, and exposure of confidential transaction information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to redirect users to credential harvesting sites, malware distribution platforms, or sites designed to steal session cookies and other authentication tokens. The vulnerability affects the core web functionality of the application, potentially disrupting legitimate business processes while providing attackers with a persistent entry point for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations with extensive B2B integration workflows are particularly at risk, as the redirect functionality is commonly used for various integration scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-4595 should prioritize immediate patch application from IBM, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and URL filtering systems can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious redirect patterns and monitoring for anomalous traffic behavior. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls within their web applications, ensuring that all redirect parameters are validated against a known whitelist of trusted domains. Security awareness training for end users can help reduce the effectiveness of phishing attempts by increasing recognition of suspicious redirect behavior. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring network traffic for potential exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging of redirect activities to detect unauthorized usage patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and adhering to secure coding practices that prevent open redirect scenarios. The attack pattern aligns with tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for credential harvesting through phishing, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures that address both technical and human factors in the attack chain.