iFrame Injection (Cross-Frame Scripting)

Severity: Medium
Test name: iFrame Injection
Test ID: iframe_injection
Summary

Web applications comprise diverse elements such as platforms, frameworks, and libraries. Addressing vulnerabilities within these components through source code updates or application upgrades is crucial for security. Attackers meticulously analyze an application to pinpoint its platform, dependencies, and known vulnerabilities, utilizing exploit codes to breach the system. Clickjacking attacks, which trick users into executing unintended actions on legitimate websites by embedding invisible elements, present serious threats to user security and privacy. These strategies underscore the importance of robust security measures to safeguard web applications from such invasive attacks.

Impact

Unauthorized Actions, Gather sensitive information, Malware Distribution, Account Takeover

Location

The issue can be found on the server side and on the client side.

Remedy suggestions

To enhance the security of web applications and counter frame injection attacks, it's advisable to consider the following steps:

  • Enhanced Input Validation and Cleansing: Adopt advanced input validation and cleansing methods. These protocols are critical for rigorously verifying and purifying user-input data before its presentation or processing. Such practices shield the application from the intrusion of harmful code or unauthorized frames, fortifying its defenses against potential vulnerabilities.
  • Implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP): Establish a stringent Content Security Policy to limit the origins of content that can be loaded onto the site. This strategy effectively blocks the execution of unauthorized scripts and the insertion of malicious frames from untrusted sources, enhancing website integrity.
  • Activation of X-Frame-Options Header: Enable the X-Frame-Options header in the server's HTTP responses to prevent the incorporation of your web application within iframes on external sites. This measure is instrumental in protecting against clickjacking attacks by prohibiting unauthorized framing.
  • Employment of Frame-Busting Scripts: Embed frame-busting scripts directly within your application's coding to avert iframe loading. This proactive approach nullifies clickjacking efforts, ensuring the application is solely displayed in a standalone window, safeguarding user interaction.
  • Continuous Security Evaluations and Penetration Testing: Conduct periodic security reviews and penetration testing to uncover and amend susceptibilities to frame injection threats. Utilizing external security professionals for exhaustive analysis offers valuable insights and corrective recommendations for identified weaknesses.
  • User Awareness Programs: Inform and educate end-users about the hazards of engaging with unknown or questionable website elements. Promote vigilant practices regarding link and button interactions and encourage the reporting of any anomalous encounters.
  • Adherence to Updated Security Protocols: Remain abreast of evolving security measures, protocols, and benchmarks for web application safeguarding. Diligently updating and patching all software layers within the application infrastructure to address existing security gaps is essential for maintaining a robust defense.
Classifications
  • CWE-601
  • CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N
References