CVE-2024-46886 in SIMATIC Drive Controller CPU 1504D TF
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2024
The web server of affected devices does not properly validate input that is used for a user redirection. This could allow an attacker to make the server redirect the legitimate user to an attacker-chosen URL. For a successful exploit, the legitimate user must actively click on an attacker-crafted link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
This vulnerability represents a classic server-side insecure redirection flaw that resides within the web server component of affected devices. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters used in redirection operations. When users interact with web applications that contain this vulnerability, the server processes redirection requests without sufficient validation, creating an opening for malicious actors to manipulate the redirection behavior. The vulnerability specifically affects the web server's handling of user redirection parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that would redirect users to arbitrary destinations chosen by the attacker. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure redirection as defined by CWE-601, which specifically addresses situations where web applications fail to validate or properly sanitize redirection targets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can be leveraged to create sophisticated social engineering campaigns. Attackers can craft deceptive links that appear legitimate to users while secretly redirecting them to malicious sites that may attempt to steal credentials, install malware, or conduct further exploitation. The requirement for user interaction through active click-through behavior means that this vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically but rather requires social engineering components to be effective. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category for Phishing, where the redirection serves as a method to deliver malicious payloads or steal user credentials. The attack vector relies heavily on user trust and the inability to distinguish between legitimate and malicious redirection targets.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites beyond the ability to craft malicious links and the presence of a victim willing to click on them. The web server's lack of proper input validation creates a pathway where attacker-controlled parameters can be directly used in redirection logic without adequate sanitization or verification. This type of vulnerability often occurs when developers assume that user input will be properly formatted or when they fail to implement proper validation routines for redirection parameters. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the system trusts user-provided data without proper verification. Security controls that should be in place include proper parameter validation, domain whitelisting for redirection targets, and implementation of secure redirection mechanisms that prevent arbitrary URL redirection. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation routines and establish secure redirection practices that ensure all redirection targets are properly verified and authorized before execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied redirection parameters before processing them. The most effective approach involves maintaining a whitelist of approved redirection domains and rejecting any redirection attempts to unapproved targets. Additionally, implementing secure redirection libraries and frameworks that enforce proper validation can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirection patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on redirection handling should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring for redirection activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Organizations should also ensure that their security awareness programs educate users about the dangers of clicking on suspicious links and the importance of verifying redirection targets before proceeding.