CVE-2013-5417 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 before 7.0.0.31, 8.0 before 8.0.0.8, and 8.5 before 8.5.5.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via HTTP response data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2021
The CVE-2013-5417 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to specific patch levels. This vulnerability exists in the server's handling of HTTP response data, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content. The affected versions include WebSphere Application Server 7.0 before 7.0.0.31, 8.0 before 8.0.0.8, and 8.5 before 8.5.5.1, indicating a widespread impact across multiple major release lines of the application server platform.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the WebSphere Application Server's response handling processes. When the server processes HTTP responses containing user-supplied data, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code by web browsers. This inadequate sanitization creates a persistent XSS vector where attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages or responses. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and end users, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebSphere servers typically handle sensitive business data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to session cookies, user credentials, and sensitive application data. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking attacks, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local system access or network proximity to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly attractive for widespread attacks. Organizations running affected WebSphere versions face significant risk of data breaches, privilege escalation, and potential complete system compromise if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches for WebSphere Application Server 7.0.0.31, 8.0.0.8, and 8.5.5.1 to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, deploying web application firewalls, and configuring proper HTTP headers including Content Security Policy can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a technique commonly catalogued in ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing attacks, highlighting the potential for attackers to use this vulnerability as part of broader exploitation campaigns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all WebSphere instances are properly patched and monitored for similar issues.