CWE-448: Obsolete Feature in UI

What is Obsolete Feature in UI?

• Overview: A vulnerability where a user interface (UI) feature is outdated or obsolete, but the product continues to offer it without notifying the user of its obsolescence.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit the outdated feature to gain access to deprecated functionality that might not be secure.
• Common attack patterns include leveraging the obsolete feature to bypass newer security measures or to execute actions that should no longer be possible.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include unauthorized access or actions due to reliance on outdated security controls.
• Potential cascading effects involve further attacks exploiting weaknesses introduced by the obsolete feature.
• Business impact could include data breaches, loss of user trust, and compliance violations.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes include removing or disabling obsolete features and ensuring that deprecated UI elements are not accessible.
• Security best practices involve regularly reviewing and updating UI components to align with the latest security standards.
• Recommended tools and frameworks include using automated testing tools to identify and flag obsolete features, and employing tools that scan for deprecated code.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not specified

Vulnerable Code Example

// This code uses an obsolete feature in the user interface without warning the user.

function showUserProfile() {
    // This function attempts to display a profile picture using an outdated HTML tag <blink>
    let profile = document.getElementById('profile-picture');
    profile.innerHTML = '<blink>Your profile picture is outdated.</blink>';  // This uses the obsolete <blink> tag
}

// The <blink> tag is obsolete and no longer supported by modern browsers,
// leading to inconsistent behavior and a poor user experience.

How to fix Obsolete Feature in UI?

To fix this vulnerability, outdated or obsolete UI features should be replaced with modern equivalents. In this case, the <blink> tag is not supported in modern web browsers, so it should be replaced with CSS animations or other contemporary solutions. Additionally, users should be informed if any feature they are interacting with is deprecated or has been upgraded, ensuring a consistent and predictable user experience.

Steps to fix:

1. Replace obsolete features with modern alternatives.
2. Inform users about deprecated or outdated features if they cannot be replaced immediately.
3. Regularly review and update UI components to align with current web standards.

Fixed Code Example

// This code replaces the obsolete <blink> tag with a modern CSS animation to indicate an outdated profile picture.

function showUserProfile() {
    let profile = document.getElementById('profile-picture');
    // Use CSS animations instead of <blink>
    profile.innerHTML = '<span class="warning">Your profile picture is outdated.</span>'; // Updated to use a <span> with class
}

// CSS for the warning message
const style = document.createElement('style');
style.innerHTML = `
    .warning {
        animation: blink-animation 1s steps(5, start) infinite; // CSS animation for blinking effect
    }
    @keyframes blink-animation {
        to { visibility: hidden; } // Defines the blinking effect
    }
`;
document.head.appendChild(style); // Append the style to the document head

// The CSS animation provides a modern way to create blinking text,
// ensuring compatibility and a consistent user experience across browsers.

In this fixed version, the obsolete <blink> tag is replaced with a CSS animation, providing a modern solution that ensures compatibility with all contemporary web browsers. Additionally, by appending a <style> element to the document head, we encapsulate the animation logic within the JavaScript, making it easy to maintain and update.