CVE-2011-1308 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Installation Verification Test (IVT) application in the Install component in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) before 7.0.0.15 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The CVE-2011-1308 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server's Installation Verification Test component, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.0.0.15. This vulnerability resides in the Install component's IVT application, which serves as a verification mechanism during the installation process of the web application server. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability's exploitation occurs through unspecified vectors within the installation verification framework, making it particularly concerning as it operates in a privileged context during system setup. The affected IVT application is designed to validate installation integrity and functionality, but this security gap creates an attack surface that adversaries can leverage to inject malicious code into web pages served by the application server.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the IVT application's handling of user-supplied data. When the installation verification process encounters specific input parameters, the application fails to properly escape or filter potentially malicious content before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted input that gets executed as JavaScript code within the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct input manipulation, parameter tampering, or through manipulated installation artifacts. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The root cause lies in the application's inadequate security controls during the installation verification phase, where security considerations were not adequately implemented for data handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1308 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions and potentially lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser, potentially stealing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the installation phase when administrators might be less vigilant about security monitoring. This vulnerability could facilitate session hijacking attacks, where attackers intercept and impersonate legitimate users to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Additionally, the exploitation could enable attackers to modify the installation process itself, potentially introducing backdoors or malicious components into the application server environment. The vulnerability's presence in the installation verification test component makes it particularly concerning as it affects systems during their most critical configuration phase, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access points.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching to IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0.0.15 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious installation activities and unusual traffic patterns during the installation process. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level to ensure that all data entering the IVT application is properly sanitized before processing. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments focusing on installation and configuration components of web application servers. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and employing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. Organizations should follow ATT&CK framework guidance for mitigating web application vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on techniques related to input validation and output encoding. Regular security testing including penetration testing of installation processes and configuration management should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Additionally, administrative users should be trained on recognizing suspicious installation activities and maintaining proper security hygiene during system deployment phases.