CVE-2009-2748 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Administration Console in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.29 and 7.1 before 7.0.0.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2748 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server Administration Console. This vulnerability affects versions 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.29 and 7.1 prior to 7.0.0.7, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these server versions. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the administrative interface, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of authenticated users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The Administration Console in IBM WebSphere Application Server serves as a privileged interface for system management, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may exist across multiple input points within the console, potentially including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data entry points.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe implications for enterprise security posture. Attackers could exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote attack vector means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it accessible to threat actors anywhere on the internet. Organizations using affected WebSphere versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to critical enterprise applications. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust model of the administration console, which should provide secure access to system configuration and management functions.
The impact extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass broader security implications for enterprise infrastructure. Given that WebSphere Application Server is commonly used in mission-critical applications, this vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive business data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage the XSS flaw to deliver malicious payloads through crafted web requests. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities as defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2748 primarily involve applying the official IBM security patches and updates released for WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1.0.29 and 7.0.0.7. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including input validation on all user-supplied data, output encoding for all web content, and regular security assessments of administrative interfaces. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers while patches are being deployed. Organizations should conduct thorough security testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical need for robust input validation mechanisms in enterprise web applications.