CVE-2007-2385 in Ui Library
Summary
by MITRE
The Yahoo! UI 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 • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2385 represents a critical security flaw in the Yahoo! User Interface framework that fundamentally compromised data integrity and confidentiality. This issue emerged from the framework's improper handling of JSON data transmission, where sensitive information was exchanged without adequate protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically exploited the framework's reliance on JSON for data exchange, creating an environment where remote attackers could intercept and access data that should have remained protected. The flaw was particularly concerning because it leveraged standard web technologies in an unexpected manner, making it both accessible and dangerous to attackers with basic web development knowledge.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from the Yahoo! UI framework's approach to data transmission through JSON format without implementing proper security measures to prevent unauthorized access. When the framework loaded data through JSON responses, it did not incorporate any form of access control or data validation that would prevent malicious actors from intercepting this information. The vulnerability specifically manifested when JavaScript code attempted to retrieve data through a SCRIPT element's SRC attribute, which allowed attackers to create malicious web pages that could capture the JSON data being transmitted. This technique enabled attackers to exploit the framework's data handling mechanisms and obtain sensitive information that was intended to remain secure within the application's protected environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant and far-reaching, as it allowed remote attackers to perform what is commonly referred to as JavaScript hijacking attacks. The flaw enabled unauthorized data access through legitimate framework functionality, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that would load the vulnerable JSON data through SCRIPT elements and then capture the transmitted information using additional JavaScript code. This capability meant that any sensitive data flowing through the Yahoo! UI framework could potentially be accessed by malicious actors, including user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data that applications were designed to protect. The vulnerability essentially created a backdoor through which attackers could bypass normal security controls and access data that was not properly protected at the application level.
The security implications of CVE-2007-2385 align with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the framework failed to implement proper verification mechanisms for data being transmitted through JSON format. This vulnerability also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, as attackers could exploit the framework's weaknesses to craft deceptive web pages that would trick users into loading malicious content. The flaw demonstrated how inadequate security implementation in client-side frameworks could create persistent vulnerabilities that remained undetected for extended periods. Organizations using the Yahoo! UI framework were particularly vulnerable because the issue was not in the application logic itself but in the underlying framework components that many applications relied upon for data handling.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate attention from developers and security teams who were using the Yahoo! UI framework. The primary solution involved implementing proper data protection mechanisms that would prevent unauthorized access to JSON data transmitted through the framework. This included adding access controls, implementing proper data validation, and ensuring that sensitive information was not exposed through insecure JavaScript mechanisms. Security teams needed to review all applications using the framework and implement additional layers of protection to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process required developers to understand the specific way the framework handled JSON data and implement appropriate security controls to prevent the JavaScript hijacking techniques that attackers could employ. Organizations were also advised to implement network monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and to regularly audit their applications for similar vulnerabilities in other frameworks and libraries.