CVE-2011-4171 in WebSphere ILOG Rule Team Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in content/error.jsp in IBM WebSphere ILOG Rule Team Server 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the project parameter to teamserver/faces/home.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4171 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere ILOG Rule Team Server version 7.1.1. This security weakness exists in the content/error.jsp component and specifically affects the teamserver/faces/home.jsp endpoint where the project parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the server-side application logic. When the project parameter is passed through the teamserver/faces/home.jsp endpoint to content/error.jsp, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before rendering it in the web response. This classic input validation failure creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability affects a rule team server environment, attackers could potentially compromise business logic rules or access sensitive business intelligence data that the rule engine manages. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics involving the delivery of malicious content through web interfaces.
Organizations utilizing IBM WebSphere ILOG Rule Team Server 7.1.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation at all entry points, output encoding for dynamic content, and comprehensive parameter sanitization. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the specific input validation gaps in the content/error.jsp component. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and conducting regular security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms will help reduce the risk exposure. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the browser context, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.