CVE-2011-1038 in Lotus Sametime
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in stconf.nsf in the server in IBM Lotus Sametime 8.0.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the messageString parameter in a WebMessage action or (2) the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1038 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness discovered in IBM Lotus Sametime 8.0.1 server components, specifically within the stconf.nsf database. This vulnerability exists in the WebMessage action functionality and exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. The flaw resides in how the server processes user input parameters, particularly the messageString parameter and PATH_INFO variable, which are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web responses. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the core communication infrastructure of IBM Lotus Sametime, a unified communications platform that facilitates instant messaging, voice, and video conferencing capabilities within enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious input strings that contain embedded script code and submit them through the vulnerable WebMessage action interface. When the server processes these inputs through the messageString parameter or PATH_INFO variable, the malicious scripts become part of the server-generated web content and execute within the context of authenticated user sessions. This creates a significant risk where attackers can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable privilege escalation attacks when users with administrative privileges interact with the malicious content. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interfaces, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or specialized network privileges. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through web-based communication channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1038 in enterprise environments can be severe, particularly in organizations that rely heavily on Lotus Sametime for business communications. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive corporate communications, potentially compromising confidential business discussions, strategic planning sessions, and internal collaboration data. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations with strict compliance requirements, as unauthorized access to communication data could result in regulatory violations and data breach notifications. Organizations using Lotus Sametime in conjunction with other IBM products or integrated systems face additional risks, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with footholds for further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's persistence across different user sessions and its ability to execute within the context of legitimate user sessions makes it particularly dangerous for maintaining long-term access to enterprise networks. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when assessing their overall security posture, as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire communication infrastructures. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and access controls while planning for official security patches from IBM to address the root cause of the vulnerability.