CVE-2018-0908 in Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 SP1 allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges when it does not properly sanitize a specially crafted attribute value being displayed to a user on an affected MIM 2016 server, aka "Microsoft Identity Manager XSS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0908 affects Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 Service Pack 1 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited to achieve privilege escalation. This weakness resides in the manner in which the MIM 2016 server processes and displays attribute values to users, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code through crafted input fields. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the user interface components that handle attribute data display. According to CWE-79, this corresponds to Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where malicious scripts are injected into trusted web applications, making it a critical concern for identity management systems that handle sensitive user data. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize attribute values that are subsequently rendered in web interfaces, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to escalate their privileges within the identity management environment. When a malicious user crafts a specially formatted attribute value and successfully injects it into the MIM 2016 system, the crafted content can be displayed to other users who access the affected interface. This creates a persistent threat vector where the injected scripts can execute with the privileges of the affected users, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive identity data, modify user accounts, or perform administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically PowerShell and Windows Command Shell, as the injected scripts can leverage these mechanisms to execute further malicious activities. The elevation of privilege aspect is particularly concerning as identity management systems typically operate with elevated permissions and access to critical enterprise resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0908 should prioritize immediate patching of Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 to the latest service pack and security updates provided by Microsoft. Organizations should implement robust input validation and sanitization policies across all user-facing attributes within the MIM environment, ensuring that all attribute values are properly escaped before display. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the MIM server to untrusted networks and users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual attribute value submissions and potential XSS attempts within the identity management system. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security assessments of the MIM 2016 environment can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in identity management systems, as highlighted by the CWE classification and the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against XSS attacks targeting the MIM 2016 interface.