CVE-2010-0784 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Administrative Console in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 before 7.0.0.13 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0784 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0 prior to 7.0.0.13 administrative console component. This weakness resides in the server's management interface which administrators use to configure and monitor application server operations. The vulnerability affects the administrative console's input validation mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts against unsuspecting users who access the console. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple entry points within the console's web interface, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on WebSphere's management capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. This classification indicates that the flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the administrative console's web interface. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The flaw exists because the console fails to properly validate or escape user-provided data before rendering it within web pages, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed as legitimate script code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations using IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 without the 7.0.0.13 patch are exposed to potential exploitation by attackers who can manipulate the administrative console to perform unauthorized operations. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive configuration data, or modify server settings. The administrative console typically contains privileged information and controls that, when compromised, can lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where administrators frequently access the console from potentially untrusted networks or where the console is exposed to external traffic.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0784 primarily focus on applying the official IBM security patches and updates. Organizations should immediately upgrade their WebSphere Application Server installations to version 7.0.0.13 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation to limit direct access to the administrative console, using secure authentication mechanisms, and employing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote access to the administrative interface, making network-level controls particularly effective. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities targeting the administrative console. These measures align with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion and privilege escalation tactics, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security controls and gain elevated system access.