CVE-2023-41080 is a URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect') vulnerability located in the FORM authentication feature of Apache Tomcat. This vulnerability allows attackers to redirect users to untrusted sites, potentially leading to phishing attacks or other malicious activities. The affected versions include Apache Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.0.12, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.79, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.92. Organizations must address this vulnerability as older, end-of-life versions may also be impacted.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.1, categorized as medium severity. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information through redirection to malicious sites. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability, but there is a proof of concept (PoC) available on GitHub, which indicates that attackers may leverage this vulnerability in the future. Organizations must remain vigilant.
Given the potential for exploitation, swift remediation is crucial. Organizations should assess their systems for affected versions of Apache Tomcat and implement necessary patches as soon as possible.
In summary, CVE-2023-41080 poses a significant risk to organizations using affected versions of Apache Tomcat, and immediate action is required to protect systems from potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for URL redirection to untrusted sites through the FORM authentication feature of Apache Tomcat. The issue affects multiple versions of the software, specifically from 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.0-M10, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.0.12, 9.0.0-M1 to 9.0.79, and 8.5.0 to 8.5.92. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-601, which refers to Open Redirect vulnerabilities. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level due to the low attack complexity and the requirement for user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-41080 is a flaw in the FORM authentication mechanism in Apache Tomcat, where the application does not properly validate user-supplied URLs. This allows attackers to craft URLs that redirect users to untrusted sites, potentially leading to phishing or other malicious activities. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges for the attacker and necessitating user interaction. The attack complexity is low, making it accessible for exploitation. The confidentiality and integrity impact are rated as low, while there is no availability impact.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk of this vulnerability lies in the potential for attackers to redirect users to malicious sites, which can lead to credential theft or malware installation. As organizations increasingly rely on web applications for various functions, the blast radius of an exploited vulnerability can be extensive. Given the CVSS score of 6.1, organizations should address this vulnerability as part of their priority patch cycle, especially those with exposed Apache Tomcat instances.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Apache Tomcat include from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.0.12, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.79, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.92. Organizations using these versions should prioritize applying the latest patches to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Apache Tomcat to remediate this vulnerability. For those unable to immediately patch, implementing network controls to restrict access to the affected applications and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns may help mitigate the risk. Additionally, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to identify potential security weaknesses associated with this vulnerability.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual redirect patterns and verify user interaction with authentication processes. Implementing behavioral analysis to identify anomalies can also assist in detecting attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-41080 represents a growing trend of vulnerabilities that allow for open redirects, emphasizing the need for security teams to enhance validation processes for user inputs. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing robust security measures within web applications. Organizations should review their security practices and consider implementing vulnerability management programs to proactively identify and remediate such vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, organizations must prioritize addressing CVE-2023-41080 as part of their security strategy to mitigate risks associated with potential exploitation and reinforce their defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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