CVE-2012-5949 in TRIRIGA Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform 2.x and 3.x before 3.3, and 8, allow remote attackers to inject content, and conduct phishing attacks, via vectors involving (1) the html/en/default/ directory, (2) birt/frameset, (3) WebProcess.srv, (4) sqa/html/en/default/reportTemplate/reportTemplateOrderCols.jsp, or (5) a/html/en/default/om2/omObjectFinder.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5949 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform versions 2.x, 3.x prior to 3.3, and version 8. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components, creating persistent security gaps that enable malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The affected paths include multiple directory structures within the application's web hierarchy, specifically targeting the html/en/default/ directory structure, birt/frameset endpoint, WebProcess.srv handler, reportTemplateOrderCols.jsp component, and omObjectFinder.jsp interface. These locations serve as entry points where user-supplied data is processed and rendered without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability through various attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS flaw categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers, particularly targeting the application's reporting and navigation components. The birt/frameset and WebProcess.srv endpoints are particularly susceptible as they handle complex data processing workflows that likely involve user input from multiple sources, while the reportTemplateOrderCols.jsp and omObjectFinder.jsp components represent specialized interfaces that process and display user-specific data in ways that do not adequately filter malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate application interfaces. Attackers can craft malicious scripts that appear to originate from trusted application components, making it extremely difficult for users to distinguish between genuine application behavior and malicious interference. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using IBM TRIRIGA for business process management, facility management, or enterprise resource planning, where the application handles sensitive business data and user credentials. The potential for credential theft increases significantly when users navigate through affected components, as malicious scripts can capture authentication tokens or redirect users to fraudulent interfaces designed to harvest login information.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, proper output encoding for all user-controllable data, and regular security assessments of web application components. The remediation process requires updating the IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform to version 3.3 or later, which includes proper sanitization mechanisms and enhanced security controls. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while establishing regular security scanning procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious website behavior, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering components that make malicious payloads appear legitimate to end users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1531, which addresses "Credential Access" through web application attacks, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both technical and human factors in vulnerability exploitation.