CVE-2008-0239 in Java System Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Sun Java System Identity Manager 6.0 SP1 through SP3, 7.0, and 7.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or web script via the (1) cntry or lang parameters to /idm/login.jsp, (2) resultsForm parameter to /idm/account/findForSelect.jsp, or (3) activeControl parameter to /idm/user/main.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0239 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Sun Java System Identity Manager across multiple versions including 6.0 SP1 through SP3, 7.0, and 7.1. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and user management components of the identity management platform, specifically targeting three distinct entry points that handle user input parameters. The affected parameters include cntry and lang in the login.jsp endpoint, resultsForm in the account/findForSelect.jsp endpoint, and activeControl in the user/main.jsp endpoint, all of which fail to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Java-based web application framework. When attackers submit malicious payloads through these vulnerable parameters, the application directly incorporates the unvalidated input into dynamically generated HTML content without proper sanitization or context-appropriate encoding. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML tags, JavaScript code, or other malicious content that executes in the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where the application fails to neutralize or escape user-controllable data before it is rendered in web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, and potentially escalate privileges within the identity management system. An attacker could leverage these XSS vectors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent malicious scripts that affect all users of the system. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and user management functionality, making it particularly dangerous for identity management systems where unauthorized access can lead to broader security breaches. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-controllable parameters. The system should employ context-appropriate encoding such as HTML entity encoding for web content, JavaScript encoding for script contexts, and URL encoding for URL parameters. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security updates and patches from Oracle should be applied immediately upon availability, and input validation should be strengthened through the use of allowlists for parameter values rather than denylists. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and security awareness training should be provided to developers regarding secure coding practices for preventing XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.