CVE-2012-0719 in Tivoli Endpoint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager (TEM) 8 before 8.2 patch 3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the ScheduleParam parameter to the webreports program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0719 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager version 8 prior to patch 3. This vulnerability resides in the webreports program component of the TEM system, which serves as a reporting interface for managing and analyzing endpoint data across enterprise environments. The flaw specifically affects the handling of user-supplied input through the ScheduleParam parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious input containing script code and submit it through the vulnerable ScheduleParam parameter in the webreports program. When the application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, the injected code becomes part of the web response and executes in the browser of any user who views the affected report or page. This type of attack typically falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious web content to compromise systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, data theft, and further lateral movement within the compromised network. The affected IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager environment represents a critical attack surface since it often contains sensitive endpoint data and system information that could be valuable to adversaries.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager for enterprise endpoint management. Given that TEM is designed to monitor and manage large numbers of endpoints across distributed networks, a successful XSS attack could compromise the reporting functionality that administrators depend upon for security monitoring and compliance reporting. Attackers could potentially inject malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or even modify report data to obscure malicious activities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making it an attractive target for wide-scope attacks. Organizations using TEM in environments with high-security requirements, such as financial institutions or government agencies, face significant risk exposure since the compromised reporting interface could provide attackers with access to sensitive operational data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available patch version 8.2 patch 3 from IBM, which addresses the input validation weakness in the webreports program. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the TEM application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected applications within their environment that may share similar input handling patterns. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious activity in the TEM reporting interface and implementing proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize and report suspicious web content that may indicate an XSS attack attempt.