CVE-2019-13038 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2019-13038, also known as the Open Redirect vulnerability in mod_auth_mellon, allows attackers to manipulate URLs to perform unauthorized actions.

Understanding CVE-2019-13038

This CVE identifies a security flaw in mod_auth_mellon versions up to 0.14.2 that can be exploited through URL manipulation.

What is CVE-2019-13038?

The Open Redirect vulnerability in mod_auth_mellon up to version 0.14.2 enables attackers to tamper with the login?ReturnTo= substring in URLs, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13038

This vulnerability can be abused by altering specific parts of URLs to redirect users to malicious sites or perform phishing attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13038

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in the handling of the login?ReturnTo= substring in URLs, allowing attackers to bypass security mechanisms.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Affected Version: up to 0.14.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the login?ReturnTo= substring in URLs, specifically by removing the // after the http: prefix.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update mod_auth_mellon to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Be cautious when clicking on URLs, especially those with the login?ReturnTo= parameter.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for mod_auth_mellon.
Implement URL filtering and validation mechanisms to prevent URL manipulation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.