CVE-2024-11207 in CAS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2024
A vulnerability has been found in Apereo CAS 6.6 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /login. The manipulation of the argument redirect_uri leads to open redirect. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11207 represents a critical security flaw within Apereo CAS version 6.6, specifically affecting the authentication login endpoint at /login. This issue manifests as an open redirect vulnerability that stems from improper validation of the redirect_uri parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability exists within the core authentication mechanism of the system, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to facilitate various attack vectors including phishing campaigns and credential theft.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the scope of CWE-601, which categorizes open redirect vulnerabilities as a well-known security weakness. The vulnerability operates by accepting user-supplied redirect_uri values without adequate sanitization or validation, enabling attackers to craft malicious URLs that would redirect users from the legitimate CAS login page to fraudulent websites. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged to bypass security controls and deceive users into providing credentials or sensitive information to malicious parties. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning no local access or system compromise is required for exploitation, and the vulnerability affects the fundamental authentication process that is central to the system's security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-11207 extends beyond simple redirection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 category for Phishing and T1071 for Application Layer Protocol usage. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to redirect users to phishing sites that closely mimic the legitimate CAS interface, leading to credential theft or further compromise of the authentication system. The public disclosure of this exploit without vendor response indicates a significant security gap in the remediation process, leaving organizations running affected CAS versions vulnerable to active exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in the authentication endpoint means that any user attempting to log into the system could be redirected, potentially affecting thousands of users across different organizational domains.
Organizations utilizing Apereo CAS 6.6 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation of the redirect_uri parameter, strict domain whitelisting for redirect destinations, and comprehensive monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious redirect patterns. The implementation of proper URL validation mechanisms and the enforcement of secure redirect practices should be prioritized, following security best practices outlined in OWASP guidelines for authentication and session management. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious redirect attempts, while also establishing incident response procedures to quickly identify and address any exploitation attempts. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure underscores the importance of proactive security measures and the need for organizations to maintain independent security assessments of their deployed systems.