CVE-2013-0565 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the RPC adapter for the Web 2.0 and Mobile toolkit in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 8.5 before 8.5.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The CVE-2013-0565 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server version 8.5 prior to 8.5.0.2, specifically affecting the RPC adapter component of the Web 2.0 and Mobile toolkit. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the server's RPC processing functionality, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected web applications. The flaw manifests when the system processes crafted responses that contain malicious script code, which then gets executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who interact with the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the RPC adapter's handling of user-supplied data within the Web 2.0 and Mobile toolkit components. When the server receives a specially crafted response containing malicious script content, the insufficient sanitization and encoding processes fail to properly escape or validate the input before it is rendered in web pages. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically addressing the failure to sanitize user-controllable data that flows into web application responses. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where attacker-controlled content can be injected into web pages served by the application server, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or arbitrary code execution in user browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0565 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability allows adversaries to craft malicious responses that can be delivered to users through various attack vectors including compromised web services, malicious advertisements, or compromised third-party integrations. The vulnerability affects the broader IBM WebSphere ecosystem by potentially compromising the integrity of web applications that rely on the RPC adapter functionality, particularly those implementing mobile or web 2.0 features. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to user sessions, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on IBM WebSphere for enterprise web applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific RPC adapter processing flaws. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading IBM WebSphere Application Server to version 8.5.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation policies at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered substitutes for proper patch management. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers "Phishing with Spoofed Delivery", highlights the potential for attackers to exploit this weakness to deliver malicious content through social engineering campaigns that leverage the RPC adapter's functionality. Security monitoring should focus on identifying anomalous RPC response patterns and unauthorized modifications to web application content that may indicate exploitation attempts.