CVE-2013-6465 in Kie Workbench
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in JBPM KIE Workbench 6.0.x allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to task name html inputs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The CVE-2013-6465 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the JBPM KIE Workbench 6.0.x series, specifically affecting the task name html input fields. This vulnerability resides within the business process management platform that enables organizations to design, execute, and monitor business workflows. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into task name fields, creating persistent XSS vectors that can be exploited across the application's user base. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it affects the core workflow management capabilities of the system, potentially compromising the integrity of business processes and user data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the task management components of the KIE Workbench. When users create or modify tasks within the system, the application fails to properly sanitize the task name parameters before rendering them in the user interface. This inadequate sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected task names. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the authenticated user context, meaning attackers must first establish valid credentials but can then leverage this access to compromise other users within the same system. This aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web output, and follows the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6465 extends far beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, and potentially gain access to sensitive business process information. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to workflow data. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that malicious scripts remain active until the affected task names are modified or deleted, creating ongoing security risks for organizations using the affected KIE Workbench versions. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where business process management systems are central to operations, as it can disrupt workflow execution and compromise the integrity of business-critical processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent the storage and execution of malicious scripts within task name fields. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in HTML rendering contexts, and applying proper context-aware encoding before displaying user-supplied content. Security patches and updates from Red Hat should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the affected KIE Workbench versions are no longer supported and contain multiple other security flaws. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security assessments of their workflow management systems to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in business process management platforms.