CVE-2013-3045 in Lotus Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Enterprise Meeting Server in IBM Lotus Sametime 8.5.2 and 8.5.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to share crafted links via the Library function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3045 affects IBM Lotus Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 and 8.5.2.1, representing a significant security flaw in the collaboration platform's library functionality. This issue enables remote authenticated users to exploit the system by sharing maliciously crafted links through the library feature, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the communication environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the library function that processes user-generated content, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious elements into shared resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Enterprise Meeting Server's handling of library content where user-submitted links are processed without adequate security checks. When authenticated users share links through the library function, the system fails to properly validate the content, allowing crafted malicious URLs or content to be stored and distributed to other users within the same meeting environment. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited by users who already possess valid authentication credentials, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate user access to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, and represents a form of cross-site scripting or content injection attack that could be amplified through the meeting server's sharing mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3045 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it creates potential pathways for more severe attacks including session hijacking, information disclosure, and unauthorized access to sensitive meeting data. An attacker could craft malicious links that redirect users to phishing sites or inject malicious code that exploits other vulnerabilities in the user's browser or system environment. The vulnerability affects the trust model of the Enterprise Meeting Server by allowing authenticated users to compromise the security of other participants, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized access to confidential business communications. This weakness undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Lotus Sametime for enterprise collaboration, particularly in environments where sensitive information is regularly shared during meetings.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for this vulnerability, as well as implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict access to potentially malicious content within the library function. Security administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious link patterns, while also establishing strict access controls and monitoring procedures for the library functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, as the malicious content could be executed through script injection, and T1566 for Phishing, as the crafted links could be used to deliver phishing content to unsuspecting users. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security awareness training to educate users about the risks of sharing unverified links and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other collaboration platforms and enterprise systems.