CVE-2012-3297 in Tivoli Monitoring
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the embedded HTTP server in the Service Console in IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.2.2 before 6.2.2-TIV-ITM-FP0009 and 6.3.2 before 6.2.3-TIV-ITM-FP0001 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2018
The CVE-2012-3297 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Tivoli Monitoring's embedded HTTP server component, specifically affecting versions 6.2.2 and 6.3.2 prior to their respective security patches. This vulnerability exists in the Service Console functionality of the monitoring platform, which serves as a web-based interface for system administrators to manage and configure monitoring operations. The embedded HTTP server processes incoming requests and generates web responses, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the server's URI handling functionality, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the web interface security posture of the monitoring system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Uniform Resource Identifiers that are processed by the embedded HTTP server. Attackers can craft specially formatted URIs containing malicious script code that gets executed when the server generates responses for legitimate users. The vulnerability's root cause aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically within the context of HTTP request handling. When the server processes these crafted URIs without proper sanitization, the injected scripts execute in the victim's browser session with the privileges of the authenticated user. This allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The embedded HTTP server's failure to properly encode or validate URI parameters creates an attack surface where malicious input can be seamlessly integrated into the web application's response generation process, bypassing standard security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3297 extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the monitoring environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data, potentially compromising the entire IT infrastructure visibility that Tivoli Monitoring provides. The Service Console interface typically contains administrative functions and system configuration details that, when compromised, could lead to complete system takeover. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Tivoli Monitoring for critical infrastructure management, as it allows attackers to execute code within the context of privileged user sessions. The attack vector requires no special privileges to initiate, making it accessible to remote attackers and significantly increasing the attack surface for organizations. The vulnerability also impacts the trust model of the monitoring platform, as legitimate users may unknowingly execute malicious code when interacting with the web interface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Tivoli Monitoring versions 6.2.2-TIV-ITM-FP0009 and 6.2.3-TIV-ITM-FP0001, which address the input validation deficiencies in the embedded HTTP server. Network segmentation and firewall rules can be implemented to restrict access to the Service Console interface to trusted administrative networks only, reducing the exposure of this vulnerable component. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level to ensure all URI parameters undergo proper sanitization before processing. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by monitoring and filtering malicious URI patterns. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar XSS vulnerabilities in other embedded web components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting, as it enables command execution through web-based interfaces, and T1566 for Phishing, since the attack often involves crafting malicious web requests that appear legitimate to users. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts in browser contexts, providing defense-in-depth against similar cross-site scripting attacks.