CVE-2017-16652 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2017-16652, a vulnerability in Symfony versions 2.7.x to 2.7.38, 2.8.x to 2.8.31, 3.2.x to 3.2.14, and 3.3.x to 3.3.13 that could lead to phishing attacks. Find out how to mitigate this security risk.
A vulnerability has been found in versions 2.7.x to 2.7.38, 2.8.x to 2.8.31, 3.2.x to 3.2.14, and 3.3.x to 3.3.13 of Symfony that could potentially lead to phishing attacks.
Understanding CVE-2017-16652
This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Symfony versions 2.7.x to 2.7.38, 2.8.x to 2.8.31, 3.2.x to 3.2.14, and 3.3.x to 3.3.13.
What is CVE-2017-16652?
The vulnerability lies in the DefaultAuthenticationSuccessHandler or DefaultAuthenticationFailureHandler of Symfony, where the _target_path parameter is used to generate a redirect response without proper validation, potentially enabling attackers to redirect users to external domains for phishing attacks.
The Impact of CVE-2017-16652
This vulnerability could allow malicious actors to redirect users to malicious websites, leading to potential phishing attacks and other security breaches.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-16652
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from the lack of validation in handling the _target_path parameter, allowing for the generation of redirect responses without proper verification.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Symfony versions 2.7.x to 2.7.38
- Symfony versions 2.8.x to 2.8.31
- Symfony versions 3.2.x to 3.2.14
- Symfony versions 3.3.x to 3.3.13
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the _target_path parameter to redirect users to external domains, facilitating phishing attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Symfony to the latest patched version immediately.
- Implement input validation and sanitization to prevent malicious input.
- Monitor and restrict external redirects within the application.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software components to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all Symfony installations are updated to the latest secure versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.