CVE-2018-1803 in Security Access Manager Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager Appliance 9.0.1.0, 9.0.2.0, 9.0.3.0, 9.0.4.0, and 9.0.5.0 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: 149702.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1803 affects IBM Security Access Manager Appliance versions 9.0.1.0 through 9.0.5.0, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to perform clickjacking attacks against unsuspecting users. This vulnerability resides within the web interface of the security appliance, creating a dangerous vector for malicious actors to manipulate user interactions and potentially escalate their attacks. The flaw specifically allows attackers to hijack clicking actions of victims, effectively taking control of user interactions with web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely through web-based means, requiring no local system compromise or privileged access on the target machine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient protection mechanisms within the appliance's web interface components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that embed the vulnerable appliance interface within invisible or deceptive frames, tricking users into clicking on what they believe are legitimate interface elements while actually interacting with attacker-controlled content. This type of attack falls under the category of cross-site request forgery and click hijacking techniques, where the attacker manipulates the user's browser to perform unintended actions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no specialized tools or privileges beyond standard web browsing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1803 extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it provides attackers with a foundation for launching more sophisticated attacks against users of the appliance. Once an attacker successfully hijacks a user's click actions, they can potentially manipulate authentication flows, access sensitive administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly violates security principles related to user consent and interface integrity, as users cannot trust that their interactions with the appliance interface are being properly handled. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be executed through standard web browsers without requiring any specialized software or hardware, making it accessible to attackers of varying skill levels.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Security Access Manager Appliance versions should implement immediate mitigations including browser-based protections, frame-busting techniques, and proper content security policy implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in the appliance's security architecture that should be addressed through comprehensive security updates and patches provided by IBM. Security teams must also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1021, which describes improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify System Image' and T1211 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and ensuring that all users are running patched versions of the appliance software to prevent successful exploitation attempts.