CVE-2016-5755 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
NetIQ Access Manager 4.1 before 4.1.2 Hot Fix 1 and 4.2 before 4.2.2 was vulnerable to clickjacking attacks due to a missing SAMEORIGIN filter in the "high encryption" setting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5755 affects NetIQ Access Manager versions prior to 4.1.2 Hot Fix 1 and 4.2.2, representing a significant security weakness that exposes users to clickjacking attacks. This flaw resides in the web application's security headers configuration, specifically within the "high encryption" setting where the SAMEORIGIN filter is absent from the HTTP response headers. Clickjacking attacks occur when an attacker tricks a user into clicking on a disguised element that appears to be part of a legitimate website while actually executing malicious actions in the background. The absence of the SAMEORIGIN header creates a dangerous condition where web applications can be embedded within frames or iframes from different origins, making it possible for attackers to overlay malicious content over legitimate authentication interfaces.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers in the web application's response handling. According to CWE-1021, this represents a weakness in the design of web application security controls where frame options are not properly enforced to prevent malicious embedding. The SAMEORIGIN directive should be included in the X-Frame-Options header or implemented through CSP frame-ancestors to prevent the application from being rendered within an iframe on a different origin. Without this protection, attackers can create malicious web pages that embed the vulnerable NetIQ Access Manager interface, potentially capturing user credentials or performing unauthorized actions by overlaying transparent or opaque elements that intercept user interactions.
This vulnerability has substantial operational impact on organizations relying on NetIQ Access Manager for identity and access management. The clickjacking attack vector allows threat actors to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially compromising user accounts, accessing sensitive data, or modifying system configurations. The attack typically involves creating a deceptive page that loads the vulnerable authentication interface within a hidden or transparent iframe, while overlaying malicious content that captures user input or performs unintended actions. This type of attack is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where privileged users may be targeted, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization processes that are fundamental to identity management systems, undermining the security posture of organizations that depend on these platforms for user access control.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available hot fixes for NetIQ Access Manager versions 4.1.2 and 4.2.2, which properly configure the SAMEORIGIN filter in the web application headers. Additionally, security administrators should implement comprehensive Content Security Policy headers that include frame-ancestors directives to prevent embedding from unauthorized origins. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious web activity and user behavior that might indicate successful exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK technique T1557.001, this vulnerability aligns with the "Adversary-in-the-Middle" tactics where attackers intercept and manipulate user interactions, making it essential for organizations to implement proper web application security controls. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers can provide defense-in-depth measures while the primary fix is being deployed, ensuring that even if the vulnerability is exploited, the attacker's access is limited. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar configuration weaknesses in other web applications within the organization's attack surface, as this type of header misconfiguration is commonly found across various web platforms and frameworks.