CVE-2013-0464 in SPSS Data Collection
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM Eclipse Help System (IEHS) 3.4.3 and 3.6.2, as used in IBM SPSS Data Collection 6.0, 6.0.1, and 7.0, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0464 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IBM Eclipse Help System component that was integrated into IBM SPSS Data Collection software versions 6.0, 6.0.1, and 7.0. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the help system's URL handling functionality. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes user-supplied URL parameters without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The affected versions of the Eclipse Help System 3.4.3 and 3.6.2 demonstrate insufficient protection against malicious input injection, particularly in how they handle URL parameters that are subsequently rendered in web interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are processed by the Eclipse Help System component. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML content that gets executed when the help system renders these parameters in web pages. The flaw exists at the input validation layer where the system fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because the affected software is used for data collection purposes, meaning that attackers could potentially compromise the integrity of collected data or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information processed through these systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0464 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and further lateral movement within compromised environments. When users interact with maliciously crafted URLs, their browsers execute the injected scripts with the privileges of the authenticated user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM SPSS Data Collection, which is commonly deployed in research, market analysis, and statistical data processing environments where sensitive information is regularly collected and analyzed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject additional malicious content that could persist across multiple user sessions. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain current security patches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious URL parameters, and conducting thorough security assessments of their deployed systems. The remediation process should involve updating to patched versions of IBM SPSS Data Collection and the underlying Eclipse Help System components. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL patterns and anomalous user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper input validation controls as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.