CVE-2011-1362 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) 6.1 before 6.1.0.41 and 7.0 before 7.0.0.19 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2011-1308.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1362 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server's Installation Verification Test component, specifically affecting versions 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.41 and 7.0 prior to 7.0.0.19. This issue arises from an incomplete remediation of a previous vulnerability, CVE-2011-1308, creating a persistent security weakness that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected applications. The vulnerability manifests in the Install component's IVT application, which serves as a verification mechanism during the installation process and is accessible to remote attackers.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IVT application's response handling. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through unspecified vectors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response streams. This occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, allowing malicious payloads to execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the installation verification process, making it particularly concerning as it could be exploited during system deployment or maintenance phases when administrators are actively interacting with the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The attack surface is significant given that the IVT application is part of the core installation component, meaning it may be accessible during routine system operations and maintenance activities. This vulnerability compromises the integrity of the WebSphere installation process and could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. The incomplete fix for CVE-2011-1308 suggests that the initial remediation was insufficient, leaving residual attack vectors that attackers can exploit.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches for WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1.0.41 and 7.0.0.19, which address the incomplete fix for CVE-2011-1308 and resolve the current vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around the affected components, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks. Input validation should be enhanced at all entry points, particularly within the installation verification process, following the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through malicious web content. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar incomplete fixes that may exist in other components of the WebSphere ecosystem.