CVE-2018-1599 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.3 could allow a remote attacker to hijack the clicking action of the victim. By persuading a victim to visit a malicious Web site, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to hijack the victim's click actions and possibly launch further attacks against the victim. IBM X-Force ID: 143744.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
This vulnerability in IBM API Connect versions 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.3 represents a sophisticated clickjacking flaw that exploits the browser's event handling mechanisms to manipulate user interactions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protection against malicious web content that can overlay legitimate interface elements, creating a deceptive user experience where victims unknowingly interact with hidden malicious components while believing they are engaging with the intended application. This type of attack falls under the CWE-1021 category of Improper Restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames, which specifically addresses issues where web applications fail to properly isolate their user interface components from potentially malicious content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that can capture and redirect user click events intended for the legitimate API Connect interface. When a victim visits an attacker-controlled website, the malicious page can overlay the legitimate interface elements using transparent or semi-transparent layers, making it appear as though the user is interacting with the legitimate application while actually performing actions that benefit the attacker. This manipulation occurs at the browser level where JavaScript event handlers can be exploited to intercept and redirect user interactions, particularly affecting the user authentication and authorization processes that are critical to API management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to unauthorized access to protected API management functions, potentially allowing attackers to modify API configurations, create unauthorized access tokens, or manipulate user permissions within the system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, steal sensitive API credentials, or redirect API traffic to malicious endpoints. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to visit malicious websites, but once successful, it can provide persistent access to the API Connect management interface and all associated administrative functions. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it enables unauthorized access to system resources through manipulated user interactions.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability including browser security headers such as X-Frame-Options and Content Security Policy directives that prevent the application from being embedded in malicious frames. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding controls can help prevent the injection of malicious content that could be used to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability affects a specific version range of the API Connect product. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in API management access attempts, and user education programs should be implemented to recognize phishing attempts that might lead to malicious website visits. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper web application security controls and the necessity of maintaining current security practices to protect against sophisticated attack techniques that manipulate user interface interactions.