CVE-2007-2378 in Web Toolkit
Summary
by MITRE
The Google Web Toolkit (GWT) framework exchanges data using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) without an associated protection scheme, which allows remote attackers to obtain the data via a web page that retrieves the data through a URL in the SRC attribute of a SCRIPT element and captures the data using other JavaScript code, aka "JavaScript Hijacking."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2378 represents a critical security flaw in the Google Web Toolkit framework that emerged from inadequate data protection mechanisms during JSON data exchange operations. This weakness specifically affects applications built using GWT technology where data is transmitted between client and server components through JSON formatted payloads. The fundamental issue lies in the absence of proper authentication and authorization controls within the data transmission process, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit the framework's inherent design flaws to access sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the browser's native handling of script elements and JSON data retrieval mechanisms. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that utilize the SRC attribute of SCRIPT elements to fetch JSON data from vulnerable GWT applications. When the browser executes these script elements, the JSON data becomes accessible to JavaScript code running in the victim's browser context, enabling unauthorized data extraction. This process effectively bypasses traditional security controls since the data transmission occurs through standard web protocols without additional protective measures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-346 as "Improper Verification of Source of a Communication Channel" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Malicious Content" and T1071.004 for "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" when considering the broader attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to comprehensive information disclosure across multiple application components. Organizations using GWT frameworks may experience unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, financial data, and business-critical details stored in backend systems. The attack's stealth nature makes detection particularly challenging since the malicious activity occurs within legitimate browser operations and appears as normal web traffic. This vulnerability affects applications where GWT generates JSON responses for client-side data binding operations, potentially compromising entire web applications that rely on the framework's data exchange mechanisms. The attack can be executed from any location with network access to the vulnerable application, making it a particularly dangerous threat for web applications exposed to external networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require implementing multiple layers of protection to address the fundamental design flaw in GWT's JSON data handling. Organizations should deploy Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized data retrieval from external sources, effectively blocking the JavaScript hijacking attack vector. Implementing proper authentication mechanisms and CSRF tokens within GWT applications can prevent unauthorized access to JSON endpoints, while JSONP (JSON with Padding) implementations should be replaced with secure alternatives that include proper validation and protection schemes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious data retrieval patterns, and establish regular security assessments to identify vulnerable GWT applications within their infrastructure. The remediation process should also include updating to newer versions of GWT that address these security concerns and implementing proper input validation and output encoding to prevent data leakage through unintended exposure mechanisms.