CVE-2013-0503 in Lotus Connections
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Bookmarks component in IBM Lotus Connections before 4.0 CR3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
The CVE-2013-0503 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Lotus Connections Bookmarks component prior to version 4.0 CR3. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as an insecure input handling issue that permits malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface. The flaw exists in the way the Bookmarks component processes and renders user-provided data, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve the manipulation of bookmark titles, descriptions, or other user-editable fields within the Lotus Connections platform. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when viewed by other users, execute within their browser sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including phishing attempts and data exfiltration.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM Lotus Connections for collaboration and social networking purposes. The Bookmarks component serves as a critical feature for sharing resources and information within the platform, making it a prime target for exploitation. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts, they can compromise the integrity of the entire collaboration environment, potentially affecting thousands of users who may unknowingly interact with compromised bookmarks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Lotus Connections is widely deployed in enterprise environments where sensitive business information is shared and collaborated upon.
The vulnerability's remediation requires immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Bookmarks component. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to IBM Lotus Connections 4.0 CR3 or later versions that contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and sanitizing user inputs before rendering them in the browser can mitigate the risk of successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious bookmark creation activities as part of their defensive strategy. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, making it a multi-stage threat requiring comprehensive security controls.