CVE-2018-6587 in API Developer Portal
Summary
by MITRE
CA API Developer Portal 3.5 up to and including 3.5 CR6 has a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability related to the widgetID variable.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6587 affects CA API Developer Portal version 3.5 through CR6, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the system to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the widgetID parameter within the application's web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The flaw exists in the portal's handling of user-supplied input without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can craft malicious URLs containing crafted script payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the CA API Developer Portal's web application framework. When the application processes the widgetID parameter, it fails to properly sanitize or encode user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML responses. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the victim's browser when the page is rendered. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no persistent storage or complex attack vectors. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting through the execution of malicious JavaScript code in user browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including credential theft, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing a payload that, when clicked by an authenticated user, would execute commands in the user's browser context with the privileges of that user. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive API resources, modification of user data, or even complete compromise of the user's session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in API development portals where users often have elevated privileges and access to critical system resources, making the potential damage from a successful attack significantly greater than in typical web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6587 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected CA API Developer Portal versions to the latest available security releases from CA Technologies. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, specifically targeting all parameters that are reflected back to users. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious requests containing known malicious patterns, though this should not replace proper application-level fixes. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parameters and implement consistent sanitization practices across all user input handling. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links and the importance of verifying URLs before interaction, though this is a secondary measure that should not be relied upon as primary protection. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader application ecosystem.