CVE-2013-0533 in Lotus Sametime
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Sametime Links server in IBM Sametime 8.0.2 through 8.5.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2018
The CVE-2013-0533 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Sametime's Links server component, affecting versions ranging from 8.0.2 through 8.5.2.1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the server-side processing of user input within the Sametime communication platform. The vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response handling mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on this collaboration software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Sametime Links server functionality, which processes user-generated content and potentially unvalidated input from authenticated users. When legitimate users interact with the vulnerable system, the malicious scripts become embedded in the server's response and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a dangerous chain reaction where compromised user sessions can be hijacked, session tokens can be stolen, and unauthorized actions can be performed on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically targets the server-side validation mechanisms that should prevent malicious content from being stored or transmitted back to other users.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0533 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft malicious links or content that, when viewed by other authenticated users, will execute malicious code in their browsers, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions. Organizations using IBM Sametime in enterprise environments face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable attackers to access sensitive corporate communications, steal confidential information, or establish persistent access points within the network. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers need only compromise a single user account to potentially affect the entire Sametime deployment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of IBM's security patches and updates released specifically for this flaw, as well as comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Sametime environment. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Sametime servers and establish strict access controls for user authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing with a link, and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns within the Sametime environment. Regular security assessments and user awareness training regarding suspicious links and content are essential components of a comprehensive defense strategy against this and similar vulnerabilities.