CVE-2008-5118 in Java System Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java System Identity Manager 6.0 through 6.0 SP4, 7.0, and 7.1 allows remote attackers to inject frames from arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors, related to "frame injection."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2017
Sun Java System Identity Manager versions 6.0 through 6.0 SP4 and 7.0 through 7.1 contain a frame injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to embed frames from arbitrary websites within the identity manager interface. This security flaw falls under the category of cross-site framing attacks and represents a significant weakness in the application's security architecture. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject iframe elements that can display content from external domains, effectively bypassing the application's security boundaries. This type of attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to conduct sophisticated phishing operations where attackers craft deceptive interfaces that appear to be legitimate parts of the identity management system. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple entry points within the application's web interface, potentially including user input fields, URL parameters, or dynamic content generation mechanisms. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-1021, which specifically addresses improper restriction of rendering features in a web browser, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1566.002 for spearphishing via web applications. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables full social engineering capabilities where attackers can create convincing fake login pages or administrative interfaces that trick users into revealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this frame injection flaw suggests that the identity manager application does not properly sanitize or validate web content that is rendered within its user interface components. This lack of proper input validation creates an environment where external frame content can be seamlessly integrated into the application's presentation layer, making it appear as though the malicious content originates from within the trusted identity management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests or manipulating application parameters to inject iframe tags that load content from attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because identity management systems typically handle highly sensitive authentication and authorization data, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to compromise user credentials or system access. The exploitation process likely involves identifying input fields or URL parameters that are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious frame content that is then rendered to end users. This attack pattern is classified under the broader category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, though specifically focuses on frame injection rather than script execution, making it a distinct threat vector that requires specific defensive measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it undermines the fundamental trust model of the identity management system and creates opportunities for widespread credential theft and unauthorized access. Organizations using affected versions of Sun Java System Identity Manager face significant risk of successful phishing campaigns where attackers can create convincing fraudulent interfaces that appear to be legitimate parts of the system. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform credential harvesting by presenting fake login screens that capture user authentication information, while also potentially allowing for privilege escalation attacks if the injected frames can access administrative functions. This threat is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where identity managers control access to critical systems and data, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the authentication infrastructure. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the product, indicating it may be a persistent flaw in the application's architecture rather than a one-time coding error. Organizations with compromised identity management systems face potential regulatory compliance issues and may experience significant financial and reputational damage from successful credential theft attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent frame injection attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Sun Java System Identity Manager where available, as this represents the most effective defense against the known vulnerability. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting which domains can inject content into the application's interface, effectively blocking unauthorized frame loading. Web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious frame injection attempts, particularly those targeting known identity management interfaces. Regular security assessments should include testing for frame injection vulnerabilities in all web applications, with particular attention to authentication and authorization interfaces. The security team should implement proper logging and monitoring of user interface rendering activities to detect potential frame injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize phishing attempts that may leverage this vulnerability, while establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle frame injection attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and regular vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify any similar weaknesses in related systems. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing to ensure that security patches do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the integrity of the identity management system's core operations.