CVE-2018-11074 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
RSA Authentication Manager versions prior to 8.3 P3 are affected by a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability which exists in its embedded MadCap Flare Help files. A remote unauthenticated attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability by tricking a victim application user to supply malicious HTML or JavaScript code to the browser DOM, which code is then executed by the web browser in the context of the vulnerable web application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11074 represents a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw within RSA Authentication Manager versions before 8.3 P3. This security weakness specifically resides in the embedded MadCap Flare Help files that are part of the application's user interface components. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the help system's javascript execution environment, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be injected and subsequently executed within the context of a user's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated social engineering attack vector where an unauthenticated remote attacker crafts malicious HTML or JavaScript content and persuades a legitimate application user to interact with it. When the victim accesses the vulnerable help system, the malicious code becomes embedded within the Document Object Model and executes automatically in the browser's context. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the user and the web application, as the malicious code runs with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user session. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting issue, specifically manifesting as a DOM-based XSS flaw where the attack payload is executed within the client-side DOM rather than being reflected in HTTP responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive authentication data, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or establish persistent backdoors within the authentication infrastructure. The embedded MadCap Flare Help files serve as an unexpected attack surface that demonstrates how third-party components integrated into enterprise security solutions can introduce critical vulnerabilities. The attack requires minimal privileges from the attacker's perspective since no authentication is needed to deliver the malicious payload, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with help documentation or where the application is exposed to untrusted networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to RSA Authentication Manager version 8.3 P3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers to detect and block suspicious requests targeting help system components. Security awareness training for users can help prevent successful social engineering attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that embedded third-party components do not introduce similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1212 as "Exploitation for Credential Access" and T1059.007 as "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," highlighting the dual nature of the threat involving both credential compromise and client-side exploitation techniques. Regular patch management processes must be strengthened to ensure timely deployment of security updates, particularly for embedded components that may not receive the same level of attention as core application features.