CVE-2011-1360 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM HTTP Server 2.0.47 and earlier, as used in WebSphere Application Server and other products, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving unspecified documentation files in (1) manual/ibm/ and (2) htdocs/*/manual/ibm/.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1360 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM HTTP Server versions 2.0.47 and earlier, which are commonly integrated into WebSphere Application Server environments and other IBM products. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the server's documentation handling components, specifically targeting files located in the manual/ibm/ and htdocs/*/manual/ibm/ directory structures. The vulnerability exposes systems to remote code execution risks where attackers can inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through carefully crafted input vectors that manipulate the documentation display functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of documentation files that are processed and rendered by the IBM HTTP Server. When the server encounters specially crafted input within these documentation paths, it fails to properly sanitize or escape the content before displaying it to users. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the targeted environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the server's documentation system, which is typically accessible to all users and often contains information that may be trusted by users or administrators. The flaw manifests in the server's handling of user-supplied data within the manual/ibm/ and htdocs/*/manual/ibm/ paths, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious payload injection.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing IBM HTTP Server in production environments. The impact extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session manipulation, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to systems, particularly when the affected server serves as a gateway or interface for enterprise applications. The vulnerability's presence in documentation files makes it particularly dangerous because these files are often accessed by multiple user roles including administrators, developers, and support personnel who may have elevated privileges or sensitive information access. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the server software, creating widespread exposure across various IBM product ecosystems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, which address the input validation deficiencies in the documentation handling components. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected server components to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including web server configuration, application-level sanitization, and content filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insecure input handling in web server components can lead to severe client-side exploitation. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through malicious documentation, demonstrating how documentation systems can serve as attack vectors in broader cyber operations. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web server components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar injection attacks.