CVE-2024-7902 in ojs
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2024
A vulnerability was found in pkp ojs up to 3.4.0-6 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /login/signOut. The manipulation of the argument source with the input .example.com leads to open redirect. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7902 represents a critical security flaw in the Public Knowledge Project Open Journal System (OJS) version 3.4.0-6 and earlier. This issue resides within the application's authentication handling mechanism, specifically targeting the signOut functionality located at /login/signOut. The flaw manifests as an open redirect vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the source parameter through malicious input, specifically .example.com, which can be leveraged to redirect users to arbitrary external domains. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses open redirect flaws that can be exploited to deceive users into visiting malicious websites. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system or network. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates the severity of potential impact on user security and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the signOut endpoint. When users attempt to sign out of the OJS system, the application processes a source parameter that is intended to determine where users should be redirected after successful logout. However, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that will be executed during the redirect process. This flaw enables attackers to craft deceptive phishing attacks where legitimate users might be redirected to fraudulent websites that appear to be part of the legitimate OJS platform. The open redirect vulnerability creates an avenue for social engineering attacks, where attackers can exploit user trust in the legitimate platform to harvest credentials or install malware. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7902 extends beyond simple redirection attacks, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity within the OJS environment. Users who are redirected to malicious sites may unknowingly provide sensitive information to attackers, especially if the fraudulent sites mimic legitimate OJS interfaces. The vulnerability also poses risks to the platform's reputation and user trust, as successful exploitation can lead to credential theft, session hijacking, and potential data breaches. Organizations using OJS for academic publishing, research management, or scholarly communication may face significant security implications, particularly if their systems contain sensitive research data or user information. The public disclosure of this exploit increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation, as attackers can readily implement the known vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills. This situation is particularly concerning given the vendor's lack of response to early disclosure attempts, potentially leaving users without official patches or mitigation guidance.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7902 should focus on immediate remediation efforts and defensive measures. Organizations using affected OJS versions must urgently upgrade to patched versions where available, as the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively exploitable. Until official patches are available, administrators should implement input validation measures to restrict the source parameter to only allow specific, trusted domains within the application's ecosystem. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and URL filtering can help detect and block malicious redirect attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of verifying destination URLs during logout processes and recognizing potential phishing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns within their systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for timely security patch management and vendor communication in maintaining secure software environments, particularly in academic and research platforms that handle sensitive scholarly information.