CWE-447: Unimplemented or Unsupported Feature in UI

What is Unimplemented or Unsupported Feature in UI?

• Overview: A vulnerability where a UI element suggests a security feature is available and functional, but the actual functionality is not implemented. This can mislead users into believing they are protected when they are not.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit user trust by targeting areas where the user believes security mechanisms are active, but they are not.
• Common attack patterns include phishing or social engineering by capitalizing on perceived security controls that do not exist.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include users being left unprotected when they believe they are secure.
• Potential cascading effects involve breaches that could have been prevented if the security feature was implemented.
• Business impact includes loss of user trust, potential regulatory fines, and damage to brand reputation.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes involve ensuring that all UI elements accurately reflect the status of underlying security features; remove or disable UI elements if the functionality is not implemented.
• Security best practices include conducting thorough reviews and testing of UI to verify that all advertised features are active and functional.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include using automated testing tools to check for UI consistency and manual security audits to ensure UI accurately represents functionality.

Corgea can automatically detect and fix Unimplemented or Unsupported Feature in UI in your codebase. [Try Corgea free today](https://corgea.app).

Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not specified

Vulnerable Code Example

```javascript settings.js {10-12}
// settings.js - This code snippet is intended to display a UI element for enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).
// However, the backend logic for actually enabling 2FA is not implemented, leading to a false sense of security.

function enableTwoFactorUI() {
    // Display an option in the UI for enabling 2FA
    document.getElementById('enable-2fa').addEventListener('click', function() {
        alert('Two-Factor Authentication enabled!');  // Misleading message: suggests 2FA is enabled when it is not
        // Missing implementation: actual logic to enable 2FA in the backend is not present
    });
}

// Assume UI calls enableTwoFactorUI somewhere in the app lifecycle
enableTwoFactorUI();

How to fix Unimplemented or Unsupported Feature in UI?

To fix the vulnerability of displaying an unimplemented or unsupported feature in the UI, follow these steps:

1. Implement Backend Logic: Ensure that any feature exposed in the UI is fully supported by implementing the necessary backend logic. In this case, implement the logic to actually enable 2FA.
2. Provide Accurate Feedback: Update the UI feedback to accurately reflect the status of the feature. Avoid misleading messages.
3. Validate Feature Status: Before allowing users to interact with a feature, check the current status and ensure it is supported and fully implemented.
4. Graceful Degradation: If a feature is not implemented yet, ensure the UI does not display it or clearly mark it as "coming soon" or "under development".

By following these best practices, users will not be led to believe that a security feature is available when it is not.

Fixed Code Example

// settings.js - This is the fixed version where the backend logic to enable 2FA is implemented.
// The UI now accurately reflects the feature's status, providing a secure and reliable user experience.

function enableTwoFactorUI() {
    // Display an option in the UI for enabling 2FA
    document.getElementById('enable-2fa').addEventListener('click', function() {
        enableTwoFactorAuth() // Properly call the backend function to enable 2FA
            .then(response => {
                if (response.success) {
                    alert('Two-Factor Authentication successfully enabled!');  // Accurate success message
                } else {
                    alert('Failed to enable Two-Factor Authentication. Please try again later.');  // Handle errors appropriately
                }
            })
            .catch(error => {
                console.error('Error enabling 2FA:', error);  // Log the error for debugging
                alert('An error occurred while enabling Two-Factor Authentication.');  // Handle exceptions gracefully
            });
    });
}

function enableTwoFactorAuth() {
    // Simulated backend call to enable 2FA
    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
        // Simulate success response from backend
        setTimeout(() => resolve({ success: true }), 1000);
    });
}

// Assume UI calls enableTwoFactorUI somewhere in the app lifecycle
enableTwoFactorUI();

In the fixed example, the UI interacts with the backend to enable 2FA, providing accurate feedback to the user and handling errors gracefully. This ensures that the feature is both functional and secure.