CVE-2009-0856 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in sample applications in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.0.2 before 6.0.2.35, and 6.1 before 6.1.0.23 on z/OS, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0856 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.0.2 prior to 6.0.2.35 and 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.23 on z/OS systems. This issue resides within sample applications distributed with the WebSphere platform, making it particularly concerning as these applications are often used for demonstration and testing purposes but may inadvertently be deployed in production environments. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors, creating potential entry points for various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The affected sample applications serve as attack vectors because they are designed to showcase functionality but may not implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the sample applications, which directly maps to CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they access the compromised application. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple injection points exist within the sample applications, potentially including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects sample applications that are part of the standard WebSphere distribution, meaning that organizations may unknowingly deploy these vulnerable components alongside their production applications. The z/OS platform specific nature of the affected 6.1 versions indicates that the vulnerability may be exacerbated by platform-specific configurations or implementation details that differ from other operating systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. When attackers successfully exploit these XSS vulnerabilities, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the victim's browser. The presence of these vulnerabilities in sample applications also raises concerns about the overall security posture of organizations that may be using these components in their development or testing environments. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to systems, especially if the sample applications are inadvertently deployed in production environments or if developers fail to properly secure the applications during the development lifecycle. The potential for credential theft and session manipulation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebSphere servers handle sensitive business data and user authentication processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address this vulnerability in WebSphere Application Server versions 6.0.2.35 and 6.1.0.23. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify and remove any sample applications that are not required for production use, particularly in environments where security is paramount. The implementation of robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be enforced across all web applications, following the principle of least privilege and proper security coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing and T1071.001 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as attackers can use these vulnerabilities to deliver malicious payloads through web interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that security controls are properly implemented throughout the organization's IT infrastructure.