CVE-2022-43479 is an open redirect vulnerability identified in the SHIRASAGI Project's SHIRASAGI software versions 1.14.4 through 1.15.0. Open redirect vulnerabilities occur when a web application accepts untrusted input that causes the application to redirect users to an external, potentially malicious URL without proper validation. In this case, the vulnerability allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to craft URLs that redirect users from legitimate SHIRASAGI-hosted sites to arbitrary external websites. This can be exploited to facilitate phishing attacks by luring users into clicking on seemingly trustworthy links that then redirect them to malicious sites designed to steal credentials or deliver malware. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction (clicking the malicious link). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent by potentially exposing users to phishing and social engineering attacks, but it does not affect system availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-601 (Open Redirect). No official patches or mitigation links were provided in the source information, indicating that users of affected versions should be vigilant and seek updates or workarounds from the SHIRASAGI Project or community. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it primarily threatens end users of SHIRASAGI-hosted services rather than the underlying systems directly.

For European organizations using SHIRASAGI versions 1.14.4 to 1.15.0, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to end-user trust and security. Attackers can exploit the open redirect to conduct phishing campaigns that appear to originate from legitimate organizational domains, increasing the likelihood of successful credential theft or malware delivery. This can lead to compromised user accounts, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and potential lateral movement within networks if credentials are reused. The reputational damage from phishing incidents can also be significant, especially for public-facing institutions such as government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare providers that may use SHIRASAGI for content management or portal services. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the indirect consequences of successful phishing attacks can be severe. Additionally, the open redirect can be used to bypass security controls such as web filters or email scanners that rely on domain reputation, increasing the attack surface. Organizations with large user bases or those that rely heavily on SHIRASAGI for public engagement are at higher risk of impact.

1. Immediate mitigation should include updating SHIRASAGI to a version beyond 1.15.0 once an official patch is released by the SHIRASAGI Project. If no patch is available, implement strict input validation and sanitization on redirect parameters to ensure only trusted URLs or internal paths are allowed. 2. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious redirect attempts or malformed URLs targeting the vulnerable endpoints. 3. Conduct user awareness training focused on recognizing phishing attempts, emphasizing caution with links even if they appear to originate from trusted domains. 4. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for user accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise leading to unauthorized access. 5. Monitor web server logs and user reports for unusual redirect patterns or phishing complaints to detect exploitation attempts early. 6. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the domains to which browsers can navigate or load resources, limiting the impact of redirects. 7. Coordinate with the SHIRASAGI community or vendor to obtain timely updates and share threat intelligence related to this vulnerability. 8. For organizations hosting SHIRASAGI publicly, consider adding warning banners or interstitial pages before redirects to external sites to alert users.