CVE-2013-0502 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.1, 8.5 through FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a malformed URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0502 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 8.1, 8.5 through FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of URL parameters, specifically failing to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through specially crafted malformed URLs, which can then be executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the InfoSphere Information Server's web interface. When users navigate to URLs containing malicious payloads, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. This inadequate sanitization process creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be rendered as executable code within the browser context of legitimate users. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS flaw, specifically mapping to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') which is a fundamental weakness in web application security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Remote attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the application environment. The affected versions of IBM InfoSphere Information Server are particularly concerning as they represent enterprise-level data integration platforms that typically handle sensitive business information and may be accessed by multiple users with varying privilege levels. The vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to compromise entire data processing workflows and potentially access underlying databases or systems that the information server interacts with.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM security patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the latest cumulative fixes and service packs released by IBM to address this specific vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should implement web application firewalls and input validation rules to filter suspicious URL parameters at the network perimeter. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security assessments of the web application interface to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers would likely use this flaw to establish persistent access or deliver additional payloads through the compromised web interface. Organizations should also conduct thorough security awareness training for administrators and users to recognize potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability, while maintaining detailed monitoring of web application logs for suspicious URL patterns or injection attempts.