CVE-2024-37656 in gnuboard5
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2025
An open redirect vulnerability in gnuboard5 v.5.5.16 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the insufficient URL parameter verification in bbs/logout.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2025
The open redirect vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37656 resides within gnuboard5 version 5.5.16, specifically in the bbs/logout.php component where inadequate URL parameter validation creates a significant security risk. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's redirect functionality and potentially redirect users to malicious websites, thereby facilitating various attack vectors including phishing and credential theft. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation of the redirect URL parameter, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that bypass normal security checks and redirect users to unintended destinations.
This security weakness represents a classic implementation of CWE-601, which defines open redirect vulnerabilities as those where applications redirect users to external domains without proper validation of the target URL. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple manipulation of URL parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute. The impact extends beyond simple redirection as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, malware distribution, or social engineering campaigns that leverage user trust in legitimate applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it can be leveraged by attackers to conduct targeted phishing attacks against users of the affected system. When users are redirected to malicious sites, they may unknowingly provide sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, or financial details. The vulnerability affects the integrity of user sessions and can compromise the trust relationship between users and the application. Additionally, the open redirect can be used to bypass security controls that rely on domain-based validation, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to protected resources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper URL validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The recommended approach involves validating redirect URLs against a predefined whitelist of trusted domains or implementing strict URL parsing that ensures the target URL belongs to the same origin or is explicitly authorized. Security controls should also include input validation that rejects any URL parameters containing suspicious characters or external domain references. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, while regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers social engineering techniques, highlighting the importance of addressing such flaws to prevent successful attack campaigns that exploit user trust and behavior patterns.