CVE-2013-3034 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM InfoSphere Information Server through 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the web console.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2018
The CVE-2013-3034 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions up to 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the web console interface of the information server platform, which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing data integration and information governance capabilities. The affected system operates as a comprehensive data integration platform that handles sensitive enterprise data and provides administrative controls through its web-based interface, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit authentication bypass opportunities.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web console's processing mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed in the browsers of other authenticated users who access the compromised interface. This weakness specifically impacts how the system handles data passed through web forms, parameters, or other user interaction points within the console environment, creating a persistent vector for code injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers with valid credentials to escalate their privileges and potentially access sensitive enterprise data. The vulnerability affects all authenticated users of the InfoSphere Information Server, meaning that any individual with legitimate access to the system can become a vector for attack against other users within the same administrative environment. This creates a significant risk for enterprise data governance, as malicious actors could inject scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or extract sensitive information from the web console. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations or access restricted administrative functions through the injected scripts.
Organizations implementing IBM InfoSphere Information Server should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM security patches and updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can create persistent security risks in enterprise platforms. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically web shell execution, and T1566 for social engineering through malicious web content. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation controls, enabling output encoding for all web console interactions, and establishing network segmentation to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their web applications, implement web application firewalls, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous script injection attempts within their InfoSphere Information Server environments.