CVE-2009-3262 in Tivoli Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Self Service UI (SSUI) in IBM Tivoli Identity Manager (ITIM) 5.0.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the last name field in a profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3262 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Tivoli Identity Manager version 5.0.0.5, specifically affecting the Self Service UI component. This issue enables authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts against other users within the same system environment, creating a significant security risk for identity management operations. The vulnerability resides in the input validation mechanisms of the profile management interface, where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The attack vector specifically targets the last name field in user profiles, which serves as an entry point for malicious code injection that can persist across user sessions and potentially escalate to broader system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation within the SSUI framework. When users enter data into the last name field, the application fails to properly escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output sanitization. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user-provided data should never be trusted and must be properly encoded before being displayed in web contexts. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads containing script tags, event handlers, or other JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions within the ITIM environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the identity management system. Authenticated users with legitimate access to ITIM can leverage this flaw to manipulate the user interface and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The attack scenario typically involves a malicious user with valid credentials who crafts a specially formatted last name entry that contains embedded malicious code. When other users view the affected profile, the malicious script executes in their browser, creating a persistent threat vector that can be used for session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the identity management infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly undermines the trust model of the ITIM system, as it allows attackers to compromise the security of other users within the same administrative domain.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3262 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided data before processing or display. The recommended approach includes applying proper HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all user inputs undergo strict validation against expected data formats. IBM released patches and updates for ITIM 5.0.0.5 that address this vulnerability, and organizations should immediately apply these security updates. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing robust input sanitization protocols can help prevent similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the identity management infrastructure. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of submitting untrusted data and regular security audits to identify potential injection points within the application's user interface components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.