CVE-2014-4784 in Initiate Master Data Service
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Initiate Master Data Service 9.5 before 9.5.093013, 9.7 before 9.7.093013, 10.0 before 10.0.093013, and 10.1 before 10.1.093013 does not properly restrict use of FRAME elements, which allows remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks, and bypass intended access restrictions or obtain sensitive information, via a crafted web site, related to a "frame injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4784 affects IBM Initiate Master Data Service versions prior to specific patch levels, creating a critical security flaw that enables attackers to exploit frame injection techniques. This issue stems from insufficient validation and restriction of FRAME elements within the web application interface, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's presentation layer. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions 9.5 before 9.5.093013, 9.7 before 9.7.093013, 10.0 before 10.0.093013, and 10.1 before 10.1.093013, representing a significant portion of the product's release lifecycle.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of HTML FRAME elements in the web interface, which creates an injection vector for attackers to embed malicious content within legitimate application pages. This weakness falls under CWE-74, the Common Weakness Enumeration category for "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," specifically related to frame injection attacks. The vulnerability allows threat actors to construct malicious websites that can trick users into believing they are interacting with legitimate application interfaces while actually executing unauthorized operations. This creates a dangerous environment where users may unknowingly provide credentials or sensitive information to attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it enables attackers to bypass intended access controls and obtain sensitive information through crafted web sites. When users navigate to maliciously constructed pages, the injected frames can display misleading content that appears to be part of the legitimate application, thereby undermining user trust and the application's security posture. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves phishing through social engineering, and T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: web protocols. The ability to bypass access restrictions means that attackers can potentially access data or functionality that should be protected, creating a serious risk for organizations relying on master data services for critical business operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for each affected version, implementing strict input validation for frame-related content, and establishing network-level controls to monitor for suspicious frame injection attempts. The recommended approach involves configuring web application firewalls to detect and block unauthorized frame elements, implementing content security policies that restrict frame loading, and conducting thorough security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying application interfaces before entering sensitive information, as the phishing aspect of this vulnerability specifically targets user trust and behavior patterns.