CVE-2014-4786 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 authenticated users 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 • 03/17/2018
IBM Initiate Master Data Service 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 contain a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of HTML frame elements within the web interface. This vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding that allows malicious actors to manipulate frame directives in ways that can compromise user sessions and data access controls. The flaw specifically affects how the application processes and renders FRAME elements, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious frames that can deceive users into revealing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and more specifically with CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code, as the frame injection mechanism enables attackers to manipulate the application's frame-based navigation structure. From an operational perspective, this issue enables authenticated remote attackers to conduct sophisticated phishing attacks by crafting malicious websites that exploit the frame injection capability to display deceptive content while maintaining the appearance of legitimate application interfaces. The security implications extend beyond simple phishing, as the vulnerability can also facilitate bypassing intended access restrictions, allowing attackers to potentially access data or functionality they should not be authorized to reach. Attackers can leverage this weakness by creating web pages that load legitimate application frames within malicious containers, effectively tricking users into believing they are interacting with trusted application interfaces while the attacker simultaneously captures credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's security posture by weakening its frame-based access control mechanisms and potentially undermining user trust in the system's authentication and authorization processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have valid authentication credentials within the IBM Initiate Master Data Service environment, as the flaw specifically targets authenticated users. However, once authenticated, attackers can craft malicious web content that leverages the improper frame handling to redirect or overlay legitimate application interfaces with malicious content. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to what appears to be legitimate application interfaces. The attack vector operates through web-based delivery mechanisms, making it particularly challenging to defend against since it exploits the trust relationships inherent in web browser frame handling. The vulnerability exists in the application's rendering engine where frame elements are processed without proper sanitization or validation of frame source attributes, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary frame sources that can include malicious domains or content. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to establish frame-based man-in-the-middle positions, where they can intercept or manipulate data flows between authenticated users and the legitimate application components. The impact on system security is significant as it undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized data access, session hijacking, or privilege escalation depending on the specific implementation details and user permissions within the affected application.
Organizations using affected versions of IBM Initiate Master Data Service should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official patches released by IBM for versions 9.5.093013, 9.7.093013, 10.0.093013, and 10.1.093013, which contain proper frame handling controls and input validation mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious frame injection attempts, while also configuring proper content security policies that restrict frame loading from untrusted sources. The mitigation approach should incorporate security monitoring to detect anomalous frame behavior within the application's web interface, as well as user education programs to help identify potential phishing attempts that exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and session management mechanisms that can detect and respond to suspicious frame-based navigation patterns. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability impacts several security standards including those related to secure coding practices and access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and ISO 27001 requirements for information security management. The vulnerability also represents a potential risk for organizations subject to regulations such as SOX, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, where unauthorized access to sensitive data could result in significant regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential frame-related injection issues within their broader application portfolio and implement proactive monitoring solutions that can detect similar weaknesses in other systems. The attack surface expansion from this vulnerability means that organizations must also consider the potential for lateral movement within their networks if attackers successfully exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to additional systems or data repositories.