CVE-2012-2161 in Security AppScan Source
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in deferredView.jsp in IBM Eclipse Help System (IEHS), as used in IBM Security AppScan Source 7.x and 8.x before 8.6 and IBM SPSS Data Collection Developer Library 6.0 and 6.0.1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2021
The CVE-2012-2161 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IBM Eclipse Help System component that affects multiple IBM security and data collection products. This vulnerability exists in the deferredView.jsp file, which serves as a key interface for displaying help content within the affected applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through specially crafted URLs, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability impacts IBM Security AppScan Source versions 7.x and 8.x prior to 8.6, as well as IBM SPSS Data Collection Developer Library versions 6.0 and 6.0.1, making it a widespread concern across IBM's security and data analysis toolsets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the deferredView.jsp component. When the system processes user-supplied URL parameters, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads directly into the help system's rendering process, bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system handles dynamic content generation, where user input is directly incorporated into HTML output without proper security sanitization measures. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it easily exploitable by remote threat actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2161 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of IBM Security AppScan Source, this vulnerability could compromise the security assessment capabilities of the tool itself, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate scan results or gain unauthorized access to sensitive application data. For IBM SPSS Data Collection Developer Library users, the vulnerability could expose developer environments to attacks that might lead to code injection or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's presence in help systems makes it particularly dangerous as users frequently interact with these components during normal operations, increasing the attack surface and potential exposure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated users.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Security AppScan Source 8.6 and IBM SPSS Data Collection Developer Library 6.0.1, along with implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms. The recommended approach involves comprehensive URL parameter validation, proper HTML escaping of user-supplied content, and regular security assessments of help system components. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing all application components, including help systems and documentation interfaces, as these components often receive less security attention but can provide valuable attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. Organizations must prioritize patch management processes and maintain awareness of security advisories from vendors to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in their environments.