CVE-2010-3472 in FileNet P8 Application Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Workplace (aka WP) component in IBM FileNet P8 Application Engine (P8AE) 3.5.1 before 3.5.1-021 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2015
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3472 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM FileNet P8 Application Engine version 3.5.1 prior to 3.5.1-021. This vulnerability resides in the Workplace component of the FileNet P8 platform, which serves as a web-based interface for managing document management workflows and business processes. The Workplace component is a critical element of IBM's enterprise content management solution that provides users with web-based access to document repositories and workflow automation capabilities. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. This vulnerability specifically affects organizations utilizing IBM FileNet P8 3.5.1 without the security patch 3.5.1-021, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Workplace component's web interface. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access affected pages. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges or access unauthorized information. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize user input that gets reflected back to users through web responses, creating opportunities for malicious script execution in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3472 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to enterprise content management systems. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal user authentication tokens, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The Workplace component's role in document management and workflow automation makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise sensitive business information, intellectual property, or confidential communications. Organizations using this vulnerable version face potential data breaches, unauthorized document access, and possible system compromise that could disrupt business operations and violate regulatory compliance requirements for data protection. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with remote access capabilities or web-facing applications.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch 3.5.1-021 to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional mitigations such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and enhanced monitoring of user session activities. The vulnerability's presence in IBM FileNet P8 applications demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of enterprise applications. Organizations should also review their web application security practices and ensure proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially use the XSS flaw to execute malicious commands within user browsers, and T1566 for social engineering through spearphishing with a link, since the vulnerability could be exploited through malicious web links. Proper security hygiene including patch management, regular security assessments, and user awareness training remains essential for protecting enterprise systems against such persistent threats.