CVE-2011-3390 in OpenAdmin Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in IBM OpenAdmin Tool (OAT) before 2.72 for Informix allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) informixserver, (2) host, or (3) port parameter in a login action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3390 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM OpenAdmin Tool version 2.71 and earlier, specifically affecting the index.php component of the Informix database management system administration interface. This vulnerability resides in the login action processing functionality where user-supplied parameters are not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to the web browser. The affected parameters include informixserver, host, and port fields that are processed during the authentication workflow, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the OAT application. When an attacker submits malicious payloads through the vulnerable parameters, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This processing error creates a condition where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the context of other users' browser sessions, particularly when the application displays these parameters in error messages or login prompts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to session hijacking and data theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to database resources. Remote attackers can craft malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized database operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the login functionality, which represents a critical entry point for database administration. According to ATT&CK framework tactic TA0001, this vulnerability enables initial access through web application attacks, while technique T1531 demonstrates how attackers can leverage such flaws to establish persistent access to database environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3390 should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM OpenAdmin Tool installations to version 2.72 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including server-side parameter validation and proper HTML escaping of all user-supplied content before rendering. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security assessments should verify that all web interfaces properly handle user input. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URL patterns and unusual login behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive user education regarding the risks of clicking untrusted links and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all database administration tools.