CVE-2023-49394 in Zentao
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
Zentao versions 4.1.3 and before has a URL redirect vulnerability, which prevents the system from functioning properly.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49394 affects Zentao project management software versions 4.1.3 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that compromises the integrity of the application's redirection mechanisms. This issue manifests as a URL redirect vulnerability that can potentially disrupt system operations and create pathways for malicious actors to exploit the software's navigation functionality. The vulnerability exists within the application's handling of URL redirection parameters, where insufficient validation allows for improper redirection sequences that can lead to system instability or unauthorized access attempts.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the URL redirection component of the Zentao platform, where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized or verified before being processed for redirection operations. This weakness creates an environment where attackers can manipulate redirection URLs to point to malicious destinations, potentially leading to phishing attacks, credential theft, or further exploitation of the system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the software's internal redirection logic, which is commonly used for user authentication flows, navigation between modules, and session management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional disruption, as it creates potential attack vectors that could compromise the entire system. When the redirection mechanism fails to properly validate URLs, it opens doors for attackers to craft malicious redirection sequences that could redirect users to harmful websites or internal system components. This vulnerability particularly affects user authentication flows where proper redirection after login or logout operations becomes compromised, potentially leading to session hijacking or unauthorized access to system resources. The disruption in system functionality can manifest as users being unable to navigate properly between application modules or experiencing unexpected redirects during critical operations.
Organizations utilizing affected Zentao versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by the vendor, as the vulnerability represents a clear risk to system integrity and user security. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing of the patched version to ensure that the redirection functionality operates correctly without introducing new issues. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious redirection patterns and consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities, and represents a potential entry point for attacks categorized under the ATT&CK framework's initial access and privilege escalation phases, particularly through malicious redirection techniques that could lead to more sophisticated compromise scenarios.