Open Redirect Scanner

The Open Redirect scanner identifies the presence of open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications. This vulnerability is commonly found in applications that utilize URL redirects and rely on parameters supplied by the client. Organizations such as online retailers and SaaS platforms, which handle a vast number of redirects for convenience and usability, can be particularly affected. Open redirect vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to redirect users to malicious sites without their knowledge. By detecting such vulnerabilities, organizations can prevent exploitation that may lead to phishing attacks or other malicious activities.

Open Redirect vulnerabilities occur when a web application allows attackers to redirect users to an untrusted external site. These vulnerabilities exploit web pages that redirect users based on input that is not properly validated. This means if an application is redirecting a user to a URL based on a user-provided parameter without proper validation and checks, it risks an open redirect exploitation. Such vulnerabilities are often used to perform phishing attacks by redirecting unsuspecting users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The scanner can identify untrusted URL redirections and alert administrators to these risks.

Technically, the parameters vulnerable to open redirects are often found in the query strings of the application URLs. Vulnerable endpoints are characterized by improperly sanitized input parameters such as 'redirect_url' or 'goto' that determine redirection locations. The scanner tests these parameters by supplying various payloads and checks the redirect headers to identify risky redirect behavior. Detection involves analyzing the HTTP headers for location responses pointing to untrusted external domains. The focus of this scanner is on confirming the occurrence of redirection without adequate verification of the external destination.

When open redirect vulnerabilities are exploited, they can result in various harmful effects. Users could be redirected to phishing sites designed to steal credentials or install malware. If an organization's web application is exploited in this manner, its reputation could suffer, leading to loss of customer trust. Furthermore, such redirects can be part of more extensive attacks, potentially serving as a gateway for additional exploits. Mitigating these vulnerabilities helps maintain user trust and secures the flow of web traffic.

REFERENCES

• https://example.com/security-issues/open-redirect/