CVE-2024-46872 in Mattermost
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
Mattermost versions 9.10.x <= 9.10.2, 9.11.x <= 9.11.1, 9.5.x <= 9.5.9 fail to sanitize user inputs in the frontend that are used for redirection which allows for a one-click client-side path traversal that is leading to CSRF in Playbooks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-46872 affects Mattermost server versions within the 9.5.x, 9.10.x, and 9.11.x release series, specifically impacting versions up to 9.5.9, 9.10.2, and 9.11.1 respectively. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the frontend components of the Mattermost platform, creating a critical security gap that enables malicious actors to exploit client-side redirection behaviors. The flaw manifests when user-provided inputs are processed without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate redirection paths that are subsequently utilized within the Playbooks functionality of the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-controllable parameters within the frontend JavaScript code responsible for managing redirection operations. When users interact with Playbooks features, the application processes certain input fields that should be validated before being used in redirection contexts. The lack of sanitization means that attackers can inject malicious path traversal sequences or arbitrary URLs that bypass normal validation checks. This creates a condition where a single click on a crafted link or button within the Mattermost interface can trigger unintended redirections to attacker-controlled destinations, effectively enabling a one-click client-side path traversal attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection manipulation to encompass a broader cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack surface. When combined with the path traversal capability, this flaw allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can redirect users to phishing sites or malicious endpoints while maintaining the appearance of legitimate Mattermost operations. The Playbooks feature becomes a critical attack vector since it represents a legitimate application function that users regularly interact with, making social engineering attacks more effective and harder to detect. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the Mattermost platform by enabling attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially escalate privileges through the exploitation of these redirection mechanisms.
Organizations utilizing affected Mattermost versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive communications, potential data exfiltration, and the compromise of user credentials through phishing attacks facilitated by the redirection capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase through spearphishing attachments or links. The one-click nature of the attack means that even less technically savvy users can be compromised, significantly expanding the potential attack surface. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, including updating to patched versions of Mattermost, implementing network-level restrictions on external redirection, and conducting thorough security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious redirection attempts. Additional mitigations may include implementing content security policies to restrict redirection behaviors and monitoring for unusual redirection patterns within the application logs.