CVE-2012-4848 in Lotus Foundations Start
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM Lotus Foundations Start before 1.2.2c allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a Webconfig Users user-attribute field, as demonstrated by the (1) First Name or (2) Last Name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4848 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM Lotus Foundations Start versions prior to 1.2.2c. This vulnerability resides within the Webconfig Users user-attribute field processing mechanism, specifically targeting the First Name and Last Name input fields. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML code, creating a persistent security risk within the application's user management interface. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue stems from the fact that the injected code can be stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected user profiles, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where user information is frequently accessed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the input validation and output encoding mechanisms of the Lotus Foundations Start application. When users enter data into the First Name or Last Name fields through the Webconfig Users interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before storing it in the database. This inadequate sanitization process creates an opening for attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the user attribute management functionality, which is a core component of the application's user administration capabilities. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, which is categorized under the broader category of input validation and output encoding failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the application environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even escalate privileges within the application. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must already have valid credentials to exploit it, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the risk since compromised accounts are a common occurrence in enterprise environments. The vulnerability affects the user management functionality, which is frequently accessed by administrators and regular users alike, amplifying the potential impact. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables the execution of malicious javascript code through the web interface.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have authenticated access to the application, which typically means they would need valid user credentials or have previously compromised an account. Once authenticated, the attacker can navigate to the Webconfig Users section and inject malicious code into the First Name or Last Name fields. The injected code persists in the database and executes whenever other users view the affected profiles, creating a vector for session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the application environment. Organizations using Lotus Foundations Start versions before 1.2.2c face significant risk of credential theft, data exposure, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's persistence means that even if the initial injection is detected and removed, the underlying flaw remains in the application code, continuing to pose a risk to users who may be unknowingly exposed to the malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to IBM Lotus Foundations Start version 1.2.2c or later. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML escaping in all user input fields can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other enterprise applications. Network segmentation and monitoring of user activity within the application can help detect potential exploitation attempts. From a compliance standpoint, organizations should ensure that their security controls meet industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of proper input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.