CVE-2013-0585 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM InfoSphere Information Server through 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the (1) web console and (2) repository management user interfaces.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0585 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions through 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1. This vulnerability resides within the web console and repository management user interfaces of the information server platform, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these systems for data integration and management. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content, potentially compromising user sessions and system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the affected user interfaces. When authenticated users interact with the web console or repository management components, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate data within the system, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the vulnerability affects authenticated users, attackers must first obtain valid credentials to exploit it, but once compromised, the impact can be significant for organizations handling sensitive data. The attack surface includes all users with access to the web console and repository management interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with these components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, which would address the input validation gaps in the affected interfaces. Network segmentation and monitoring of web console traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security awareness training for administrators can reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through web application attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains.