CAPEC-384 Application API Message Manipulation via Man-in-the-Middle

CAPEC ID: 384

CAPEC-384 Metadata

Likelihood of Attack

High

Typical Severity

Low

Overview

Summary

An attacker manipulates either egress or ingress data from a client within an application framework in order to change the content of messages. Performing this attack can allow the attacker to gain unauthorized privileges within the application, or conduct attacks such as phishing, deceptive strategies to spread malware, or traditional web-application attacks. The techniques require use of specialized software that allow the attacker to perform adversary-in-the-middle (CAPEC-94) communications between the web browser and the remote system. Despite the use of AiTH software, the attack is actually directed at the server, as the client is one node in a series of content brokers that pass information along to the application framework. Additionally, it is not true "Adversary-in-the-Middle" attack at the network layer, but an application-layer attack the root cause of which is the master applications trust in the integrity of code supplied by the client.

Prerequisites

Targeted software is utilizing application framework APIs

Potential Solutions / Mitigations

No specific solutions listed.

Related Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE ID Description
CWE-311 Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity
CWE-346 Origin Validation Error
CWE-471 Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)
CWE-602 Client-Side Enforcement of Server-Side Security

Related CAPECs

CAPEC ID Description
CAPEC-94 An adversary targets the communication between two components (typically client and server), in order to alter or obtain data from transactions. A general approach entails the adversary placing themself within the communication channel between the two components.

Stay Ahead of Attack Patterns

Understanding CAPEC patterns helps security professionals anticipate and thwart potential attacks. Leverage these insights to enhance threat modeling, strengthen your software development lifecycle, and train your security teams effectively.