CVE-2007-2380 in Atlas framework
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft Atlas 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 described in CVE-2007-2380 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft's Atlas framework, which was a predecessor to ASP.NET AJAX. This framework facilitated data exchange using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format without implementing any form of data protection mechanisms. The fundamental issue arises from the framework's default behavior of serving JSON data directly through script elements, making it susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that load the vulnerable JSON data through the SRC attribute of SCRIPT elements, effectively bypassing traditional security boundaries that would normally prevent such data leakage.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a process known as JavaScript hijacking, where malicious actors leverage the browser's native JSON parsing capabilities to extract sensitive information. When a web application using the Atlas framework serves JSON data, it typically does so without proper content-type headers or authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the absence of a protection scheme that would normally prevent unauthorized access to the JSON data. This flaw is particularly dangerous because JSON data often contains sensitive user information, session tokens, or application data that could be harvested by attackers. The attack vector involves creating a malicious webpage that references the vulnerable application's JSON endpoints through SCRIPT tags, allowing the browser to execute the JSON data as JavaScript code and subsequently capture it using additional JavaScript functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of applications built on the Atlas framework. Organizations using this technology faced significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential account takeovers, and exposure of sensitive business information. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require complex attack vectors or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-hanging fruit vulnerability that can provide immediate access to valuable data without requiring advanced penetration testing skills or expensive exploit development.
The weakness identified in CVE-2007-2380 aligns with CWE-346, which addresses "Improper Verification of Source of a Communication Channel" and specifically relates to the lack of proper authentication and authorization mechanisms for data exchanges. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers "Phishing with Social Engineering" and represents how attackers can use the vulnerability to craft convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate while harvesting sensitive data. The issue demonstrates poor implementation of the principle of least privilege in data handling, where sensitive information is exposed without proper access controls or data protection measures. Organizations implementing the Atlas framework were essentially providing attackers with direct access to their data stores through the browser's native JavaScript execution environment, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited for various malicious purposes.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper data protection mechanisms including the use of authentication tokens, content-type headers, and CORS policies to prevent unauthorized data access. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding to ensure that JSON data is not directly accessible through script elements without proper authorization checks. The recommended approach includes adding security headers to HTTP responses, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, and ensuring that JSON endpoints are protected against unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, developers should consider using modern frameworks that implement proper data protection mechanisms by default, as the Atlas framework's design flaws were addressed in subsequent versions of Microsoft's web development technologies. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of implementing proper security controls in web applications, particularly when handling sensitive data exchanges through client-side technologies.