CVE-2013-0548 in Tivoli Monitoring
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Basic Services component in IBM Tivoli Monitoring (ITM) 6.2.0 through FP3, 6.2.1 through FP4, 6.2.2 through FP9, and 6.2.3 before FP3, as used in IBM Application Manager for Smart Business (formerly Tivoli Foundations Application Manager) 1.2.1 before 1.2.1.0-TIV-IAMSB-FP0004 and other products, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0548 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Tivoli Monitoring's Basic Services component, affecting multiple version ranges including 6.2.0 through FP3, 6.2.1 through FP4, 6.2.2 through FP9, and 6.2.3 before FP3. This issue specifically impacts IBM Application Manager for Smart Business, formerly known as Tivoli Foundations Application Manager, and other related products where the vulnerability manifests in the web-based user interface components. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied input within the Basic Services framework, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of affected applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects widely deployed monitoring solutions that are integral to enterprise IT infrastructure management and business continuity operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Tivoli Monitoring web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed when legitimate users interact with the affected system. The unspecified vectors indicate that multiple entry points within the Basic Services component are susceptible to injection attacks, potentially including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of inadequate sanitization of user-provided data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites, making it a significant threat to enterprise security.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0548 is substantial for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Monitoring for their IT operations management. Given that this monitoring solution is used for critical infrastructure oversight, a successful XSS attack could provide attackers with access to sensitive operational data, system configurations, and potentially enable further exploitation within the enterprise network. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched, as it allows attackers to maintain access through session hijacking or by injecting malicious code that executes in the context of legitimate user sessions. Organizations using these affected versions face risks of data breaches, unauthorized access to monitoring dashboards, and potential compromise of the entire monitoring infrastructure, which could result in loss of visibility into critical systems and operations. The attack surface is particularly broad given that this affects multiple service pack versions and related products, amplifying the potential impact across enterprise environments.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM Tivoli Monitoring and related products to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include verifying that all affected versions have been properly updated to the latest service packs that contain the XSS mitigation fixes. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual traffic patterns or attempts to inject script code into web interfaces. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their environment that might be running older versions of IBM Tivoli Monitoring or related components. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or entering data into untrusted interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers phishing and social engineering tactics that often leverage XSS vulnerabilities to establish initial access or maintain persistence within target environments.