What is CVE-2018-11784?
CVE-2018-11784 is an open redirect vulnerability impacting several versions of Apache Tomcat, specifically versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.11, 8.5.0 to 8.5.33, and 7.0.23 to 7.0.90. This vulnerability arises when the default servlet in Apache Tomcat incorrectly handles redirects to directories. For instance, if a user requests '/foo', the server might improperly redirect them to '/foo/' using a specially crafted URL, allowing an attacker to redirect to any URI. This could be exploited to redirect users to malicious websites without their knowledge.
The Significance of Mitigating Open Redirect Vulnerabilities
Open redirect vulnerabilities are crucial to mitigate because they can serve as a mechanism in phishing attacks, misleading users about the authenticity of a website. When exploited, these vulnerabilities allow attackers to redirect users from legitimate websites to malicious ones. This redirection can deceive users into believing they are on a trusted site, potentially leading to further exploits such as stealing credentials or distributing malware. The deceptive nature of open redirects makes it easier for attackers to carry out sophisticated phishing campaigns, thereby increasing the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. Mitigating these vulnerabilities is essential for maintaining the trust and safety of users online.
How Critical is CVE-2018-11784?
CVE-2018-11784 has been assigned a moderate severity rating. Although this vulnerability does not permit direct execution of code or unauthorized data access, it poses a significant security risk due to its potential use in phishing attacks. Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to redirect users from legitimate websites to malicious ones, thereby misleading users into trusting these harmful sites. This can result in the distribution of harmful content, such as malware or spyware, and can facilitate the theft of sensitive information like login credentials or personal data. The risk is heightened by the fact that users are often unaware they have been redirected, making them more susceptible to these deceptive practices. Therefore, addressing this vulnerability is crucial to prevent its exploitation in such malicious activities and to protect users from potential harm.
Mitigating the Risks of CVE-2018-11784
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to the latest patched versions of Apache Tomcat, which are:
- Apache Tomcat 7.0.91
- Apache Tomcat 8.5.34
- Apache Tomcat 9.0.12
The updated versions of Apache Tomcat include a fix that properly validates and handles redirects, effectively mitigating the risk associated with CVE-2018-11784. This fix ensures that the default servlet no longer incorrectly processes redirect to directories, preventing attackers from exploiting the vulnerability to perform open redirects. By correctly handling redirect requests, these versions block attempts to manipulate URLs in a way that could mislead users into visiting malicious sites. Consequently, this reduces the likelihood of phishing attacks and the distribution of harmful content, thereby enhancing the overall security and integrity of the web server environment. This fix is crucial for maintaining user trust and protecting sensitive information from being compromised through deceptive redirection tactics.
FortiWeb Protection
FortiWeb's Web Application Firewall (WAF) solutions are designed to protect against open redirect attacks by meticulously validating URLs and monitoring redirect behaviors. By implementing FortiWeb, organizations can enhance the security of their web applications with an additional layer of defense. FortiWeb's WAF inspects incoming traffic and filters out malicious requests, effectively preventing attempts to manipulate URLs and exploit vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-11784.
FortiWeb's comprehensive protection includes:
- URL Validation: Ensures that all URLs are correctly formed and adhere to expected patterns, preventing attackers from inserting malicious redirects.
- Redirect Behavior Monitoring: Analyzes redirect responses to detect and block improper or unauthorized redirections that could lead users to malicious sites.
- Signature-Based Detection: Utilizes an extensive database of known attack patterns to identify and block attempts to exploit open redirect vulnerabilities.
- Behavioral Analysis: Continuously monitors and learns from normal traffic patterns to detect anomalies that may indicate an attack.
- Access Control Policies: Enforces strict access control policies to ensure only legitimate users and traffic can interact with the web application.
- Real-Time Alerts and Reporting: Provides real-time alerts and detailed reports on detected threats, allowing administrators to respond promptly and mitigate potential risks.
By integrating FortiWeb into their security infrastructure, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of open redirect attacks and other web-based threats. This robust protection helps ensure the integrity and security of web applications, safeguarding users from being redirected to malicious sites and preventing potential phishing attacks and malware distribution.
Conclusion
It is crucial for administrators of web applications using Apache Tomcat to be aware of CVE-2018-11784 and take appropriate action to patch their systems. This vulnerability, if left unaddressed, can be exploited to redirect users to malicious websites, posing significant security risks. Administrators should ensure that their Apache Tomcat installations are updated to versions that include the fix for this vulnerability, specifically versions 9.0.12 and later, 8.5.34 and later, and 7.0.91 and later. Keeping software up to date is a fundamental practice in maintaining the security of any system. Consistently applying patches and updates helps protect against known vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of exploitation by attackers. In addition to patching, deploying FortiWeb Web Application Firewall (WAF) can provide an extra layer of protection which can provide many protections features such as URL and Redirect Validation, Traffic Inspections, Advanced Threat Protection and Access Control Enforcement. FortiWeb's can help mitigate the risks posed by vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-11784.
For more detailed information on CVE-2018-11784 and to stay updated on the latest in security, visit the official Apache Tomcat security advisories.
