CVE-2012-6360 in Intelligent Operations Center
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Intelligent Operations Center 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via event data fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6360 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Intelligent Operations Center version 1.5.0. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of event data fields, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms that should prevent untrusted data from being rendered as executable content within the web interface. IBM Intelligent Operations Center serves as a comprehensive platform for monitoring and managing operational data across various business domains, making this XSS vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential to compromise the integrity of operational dashboards and data visualization components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious payloads through event data fields that are subsequently processed and displayed without proper sanitization. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's data handling pipeline, where user-supplied data flows directly into web page content without appropriate filtering or escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject script tags, javascript code, or malicious html elements that execute in the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for operational environments where the system may be accessible to external parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. In the context of IBM Intelligent Operations Center, which typically handles sensitive operational data, an attacker could potentially access confidential information, manipulate dashboards, or disrupt business operations through session hijacking or data manipulation. The vulnerability affects the application's security posture by undermining the trust boundary between the application and its users, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the operational environment. This XSS vulnerability directly impacts the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the information system, as it provides an attack surface that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including those categorized under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and persistence techniques.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability including immediate patching of affected systems to the latest IBM Intelligent Operations Center releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Input validation should be strengthened to sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, with particular attention to event data fields that are displayed in web interfaces. Output encoding mechanisms must be implemented to ensure that any data rendered in web contexts is properly escaped to prevent script execution. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of the operational center to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the operational environment. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or entering untrusted data into operational systems, as social engineering remains a common initial vector for exploiting such vulnerabilities.