CVE-2014-4774 in License Metric Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the login page in IBM License Metric Tool 9 before 9.1.0.2 and Endpoint Manager for Software Use Analysis 9 before 9.1.0.2 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users via vectors involving a FRAME element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2017
The CVE-2014-4774 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting IBM License Metric Tool 9 versions prior to 9.1.0.2 and Endpoint Manager for Software Use Analysis 9 versions before 9.1.0.2. This vulnerability resides within the login page implementation and creates a significant security risk by allowing remote attackers to hijack user authentications through maliciously crafted web requests. The flaw specifically exploits the improper handling of authentication tokens when users are presented with FRAME elements, which enables attackers to manipulate the authentication flow without requiring valid credentials. This vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which categorizes cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities as a fundamental web application security weakness that permits unauthorized actions to be performed on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious webpage containing a FRAME element that references the vulnerable IBM License Metric Tool or Endpoint Manager login page. When an authenticated user visits this malicious page, the browser automatically attempts to authenticate the user against the target system using the existing session cookies, thereby allowing the attacker to perform actions as if they were the legitimate user. The FRAME element technique bypasses traditional CSRF protection mechanisms by leveraging the automatic credential inclusion feature of web browsers, where session cookies are automatically sent with requests to the same domain, even when initiated from third-party pages. This particular attack vector demonstrates how the vulnerability can be exploited through web-based interfaces without requiring direct access to the target system's authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially catastrophic consequences for organizations utilizing these IBM products. Attackers could leverage this flaw to modify license configurations, access sensitive software usage data, manipulate reporting features, or perform administrative actions within the license management system. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that rely on these tools for software asset management and compliance tracking, as unauthorized modifications could lead to incorrect license reporting, financial losses due to overpayment for licenses, or compliance violations. Organizations using these tools for monitoring software usage across their network could face significant operational disruption if attackers gain unauthorized access to modify usage tracking parameters or disable monitoring capabilities.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching to versions 9.1.0.2 or later where the CSRF protection mechanisms have been enhanced. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper CSRF token validation on all state-changing requests, ensuring that authentication tokens are unique per session and properly validated, and configuring proper frame options to prevent embedding of the application in external frames. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious frame-based requests, implement strict content security policies to prevent unauthorized frame loading, and conduct regular security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing attacks through malicious web content, emphasizing the need for comprehensive web application security controls beyond traditional perimeter defenses.