CVE-2013-0478 in InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management - Collaborative Edition 10.0 and 10.1 before FP1 and InfoSphere Master Data Management Server for Product Information Management 6.0, 9.0, and 9.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0478 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management products, specifically targeting versions 10.0 and 10.1 of the Collaborative Edition and versions 6.0, 9.0, and 9.1 of the Product Information Management Server. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The affected systems are particularly concerning as they handle master data management functions, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise data integrity and user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM InfoSphere applications. Attackers with authenticated access can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of user-supplied data fields or parameters within the application interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated user access, meaning that insiders or attackers who have gained legitimate credentials can execute malicious scripts against other users within the same system. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web scripting environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive data, modify user interfaces, and potentially escalate privileges within the master data management environment. Given that these applications typically handle sensitive business information including customer data, product catalogs, and master records, successful exploitation could result in significant data breaches and business disruption. The vulnerability affects enterprise-grade data management systems where the integrity and confidentiality of master data is paramount for business operations and regulatory compliance.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate application patching to the latest available fixes, particularly for the FP1 releases mentioned in the CVE description. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter malicious script attempts. Additionally, implementing strict input validation controls, output encoding, and content security policies can help prevent script injection attempts. Security awareness training for administrators and users is essential to prevent credential compromise that could lead to exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security testing and validation of web applications, particularly in enterprise environments where data integrity is critical for business operations and regulatory compliance requirements.