CVE-2023-4964 in opentext Service Management Automation X
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
Potential open redirect vulnerability in opentext Service Management Automation X (SMAX) versions 2020.05, 2020.08, 2020.11, 2021.02, 2021.05, 2021.08, 2021.11, 2022.05, 2022.11 and opentext Asset Management X (AMX) versions 2021.08, 2021.11, 2022.05, 2022.11. The vulnerability could allow attackers to redirect a user to malicious websites.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4964 represents a critical open redirect flaw within OpenText Service Management Automation X and OpenText Asset Management X platforms. This security weakness affects multiple versions of both product lines, creating a persistent risk across various deployment scenarios. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied redirect parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate redirection flows within the application's authentication and navigation systems.
This technical flaw operates at the application layer where user-controllable parameters are processed without sufficient sanitization or validation checks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system accepts redirect URLs from external sources without proper verification of their legitimacy or destination. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs that appear to originate from legitimate domains while actually directing users to attacker-controlled websites. The flaw essentially allows for the manipulation of the application's natural redirect behavior, creating opportunities for phishing attacks and credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for more sophisticated social engineering campaigns. When users are redirected to malicious sites, they may unknowingly provide credentials or sensitive information to attackers who have crafted convincing fake login pages. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions suggests a systemic issue within the platform's architecture, making it particularly concerning for organizations that maintain extended support cycles. This opens the door for attackers to target specific organizations based on their software versions, potentially leading to targeted attacks against known vulnerable installations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, which specifically addresses the risk of redirect parameters being improperly validated. The attack pattern follows established methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for Phishing, where attackers leverage legitimate application features to deliver malicious payloads. Organizations utilizing these platforms face significant risk of credential compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors of varying expertise levels.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate implementation of input validation controls and parameter sanitization within the affected applications. Organizations must ensure that all redirect parameters are validated against a strict whitelist of approved domains or implement proper URL parsing to verify destination legitimacy. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious redirect patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues within the broader application ecosystem. Patch management processes must be prioritized to ensure timely deployment of vendor-provided fixes, while organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize and report suspicious redirection attempts. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing to ensure that legitimate redirect functionality remains operational while eliminating the vulnerability's exploitation vectors.