CVE-2010-2985 in WebSphere Service Registry
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository (WSRR) 6.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the searchTerm parameter to ServiceRegistry/HelpSearch.do or (2) the queryItems[0].value parameter to ServiceRegistry/QueryWizardProcessStep1.do.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2985 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository version 6.3. This security weakness resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically in the handling of user-supplied parameters within two distinct endpoints. The flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data processed through the service registry system. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on WSRR for managing enterprise service metadata and registry information, creating significant risks for businesses that depend on secure service discovery and management capabilities.
The technical exploitation occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage insufficient input sanitization within the web application's processing logic. The first vector targets the searchTerm parameter in the ServiceRegistry/HelpSearch.do endpoint, while the second exploits the queryItems[0].value parameter within ServiceRegistry/QueryWizardProcessStep1.do. Both attack paths demonstrate the same underlying flaw: the application fails to properly validate, filter, or encode user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS where user input is immediately reflected back in the application response without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious domains, or inject malicious content that could compromise the integrity of the service registry data. The implications are particularly concerning for enterprise environments where WSRR serves as a critical component for service governance and discovery, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to service metadata, disruption of business processes, and potential data exfiltration. Organizations using this platform face significant risk of unauthorized service manipulation and information disclosure that could impact their overall service-oriented architecture security posture.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent malicious payloads from being executed within the application context. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in search and query operations, combined with proper HTML encoding of output content to prevent script execution. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious traffic patterns, while ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the broader application ecosystem, with particular attention to the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns that include techniques for exploiting XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles, emphasizing secure coding practices and the importance of input validation in preventing cross-site scripting attacks.