CVE-2014-0970 in InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
The GDS component in IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management - Collaborative Edition 10.x and 11.x before 11.0 FP4 and InfoSphere Master Data Management Server for Product Information Management 9.0 and 9.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject links via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0970 resides within the GDS component of IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management systems, specifically affecting Collaborative Edition versions 10.x and 11.x prior to fix pack 4, as well as the Product Information Management Server versions 9.0 and 9.1. This represents a significant security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers to perform link injection attacks through unspecified vectors within the system's data management infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the GDS processing framework, which is responsible for managing collaborative data operations and metadata handling across master data management environments.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper validation controls when processing user-supplied data inputs that are subsequently rendered as hyperlinks within the system's user interface or generated documentation. This weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, specifically representing a variant where malicious links are injected into system-generated content rather than direct script execution. The vulnerability allows attackers with valid authentication credentials to manipulate the system's link generation mechanisms, potentially leading to the creation of malicious hyperlinks that could redirect users to harmful external resources or execute unintended actions when clicked. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the GDS component may be susceptible to this injection attack, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for comprehensive security assessment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for organizations relying on IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management systems for critical business data operations. The ability to inject malicious links provides attackers with potential pathways for phishing attacks, credential theft, and lateral movement within the network infrastructure. When users interact with compromised system-generated content, they may unknowingly navigate to malicious websites or trigger unintended system behaviors that could lead to data exfiltration or system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system, and the authenticated requirement reduces the attack surface to only those with legitimate system access, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with privileged user accounts. This weakness directly impacts the integrity and trustworthiness of the master data management system, potentially corrupting the data governance framework that organizations depend upon for business-critical operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the recommended fix pack 11.0 FP4 for Collaborative Edition and the appropriate patches for Product Information Management Server versions 9.0 and 9.1. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as input validation at multiple layers, regular security assessments of the GDS component, and monitoring for anomalous link generation patterns within system logs. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be strengthened to limit potential impact if the vulnerability is exploited, while regular security awareness training for system administrators can help identify suspicious activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers could leverage the injected links for social engineering campaigns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional protection layers against similar injection attacks. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential similar weaknesses in other components of the master data management infrastructure.