CVE-2024-25609 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2024
HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect in Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.12, and older unsupported versions, and Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 9, 7.3 service pack 3, 7.2 fix pack 15 through 18, and older unsupported versions can be circumvented by using two forward slashes, which allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary external URLs via the (1) 'redirect` parameter (2) `FORWARD_URL` parameter, and (3) others parameters that rely on HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect. This vulnerability is the result of an incomplete fix in CVE-2022-28977.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-25609 represents a critical security flaw in Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP platforms that affects versions ranging from 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.12 and older unsupported releases. This issue specifically targets the HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect functionality which is designed to prevent open redirect vulnerabilities by sanitizing redirect parameters. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the intended security measures through a simple technique involving double forward slashes in URL redirection parameters, creating a pathway for malicious redirection attacks that can compromise user sessions and lead to phishing or credential theft scenarios. This vulnerability directly relates to the incomplete remediation of CVE-2022-28977, demonstrating how partial fixes can leave systems vulnerable to exploitation through alternative attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insufficient handling of URL schemes and path normalization within the HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect method. When attackers provide redirect parameters containing double forward slashes such as //evil.com or /evil.com, the sanitization logic fails to properly validate these inputs, allowing malicious URLs to pass through the security checks. This occurs because the escapeRedirect function does not adequately normalize URL formats or properly validate the scheme portion of URLs, enabling attackers to craft URLs that appear legitimate to the system but ultimately redirect users to external malicious domains. The vulnerability affects multiple parameters including the 'redirect' parameter, 'FORWARD_URL' parameter, and other similar redirect mechanisms that depend on the HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect functionality, creating a wide attack surface across the platform's authentication and navigation systems. This flaw aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, specifically targeting the improper validation of redirect URLs in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-25609 extends beyond simple redirection attacks to potentially enable sophisticated social engineering campaigns and credential harvesting operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to redirect authenticated users to malicious websites that mimic legitimate Liferay portals, capturing login credentials or sensitive information through phishing techniques. The vulnerability affects both the portal's front-end user interface and backend authentication flows, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Liferay portals serve as central authentication points and content management systems, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of user accounts and sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability also impacts the platform's trust model, as users may be unknowingly redirected to malicious sites while believing they are navigating legitimate internal applications, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Liferay for business-critical operations.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-25609 should prioritize immediate implementation of security patches provided by Liferay, specifically targeting the versions mentioned in the vulnerability description including Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.12 and Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 9. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest cumulative updates and service packs that address both CVE-2022-28977 and the current vulnerability, ensuring complete remediation of the URL sanitization logic. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls including web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious redirect patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all Liferay installations to identify potentially affected systems, particularly focusing on authentication endpoints and navigation parameters that utilize HtmlUtil.escapeRedirect functionality. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring for anomalous redirect activities in system logs and implementing additional security controls such as Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized redirection. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of complete vulnerability remediation and the potential risks of partial fixes, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing attacks and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in web-based attacks.