CVE-2016-4844 in Mailwise
Summary
by MITRE
Cybozu Mailwise before 5.4.0 allows remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4844 affects Cybozu Mailwise versions prior to 5.4.0 and represents a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute clickjacking attacks against users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of user interface deception where attackers can trick users into performing unintended actions by overlaying malicious content on top of legitimate interface elements. The specific implementation flaw in Mailwise allows adversaries to create deceptive web pages that can manipulate user interactions without their knowledge or consent.
Clickjacking attacks exploit the fundamental trust users place in web interfaces by positioning invisible or disguised elements over legitimate buttons, links, or form fields. In the context of Cybozu Mailwise, this vulnerability would enable attackers to construct malicious web pages that overlay transparent or translucent elements on top of the mail application's interface. When users attempt to interact with what they believe are legitimate interface elements, they may unknowingly trigger actions within the vulnerable application. This technique often involves using iframe elements or other HTML constructs to layer malicious content over legitimate interface components, making it appear as though users are performing normal operations while actually executing unauthorized commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access to encompass a broader range of potential malicious activities. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to perform actions such as sending unauthorized emails, modifying user settings, accessing sensitive information, or even executing administrative functions within the mail application. The vulnerability particularly affects users who may not be aware of the deception occurring in their browser environment, as the malicious overlay can be designed to appear seamless with legitimate interface elements. This makes detection difficult for end users and provides attackers with a stealthy method for compromising user sessions and executing unauthorized operations.
The technical flaw in Cybozu Mailwise stems from inadequate protection mechanisms against overlay attacks and insufficient implementation of clickjacking prevention controls. The application fails to implement proper security headers such as X-Frame-Options or Content Security Policy directives that would prevent the application from being embedded within other web pages. Without these protective measures, the vulnerable system becomes susceptible to being framed by malicious actors who can then manipulate user interactions through carefully crafted web content. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1021, which specifically addresses improper restriction of rendering of objects across different security domains, and represents a clear violation of secure web application design principles.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive clickjacking protection mechanisms across all web applications. Organizations should deploy proper security headers including X-Frame-Options with restrictive values such as DENY or SAMEORIGIN to prevent the application from being embedded in external frames. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy directives with frame-ancestors restrictions provides enhanced protection against various clickjacking scenarios. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Cybozu Mailwise version 5.4.0 or later, which includes built-in protections against such attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious web interactions and encourage regular security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving user interface manipulation and session management attacks, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures including both application-level protections and user awareness training programs.