CVE-2014-3033 in Emptoris Sourcing Portfolio
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Emptoris Sourcing Portfolio 9.5.x before 9.5.1.3, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.3, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The CVE-2014-3033 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Emptoris Sourcing Portfolio software across multiple version ranges including 9.5.x before 9.5.1.3, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.3, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.4. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can manipulate input parameters through crafted URLs to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the application context. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input that is processed within URL parameters, creating an avenue for persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in enterprise sourcing platforms where users may have elevated access rights to procurement processes and sensitive business data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IBM Emptoris platform's web application layer. When authenticated users submit crafted URLs containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before rendering them in web pages or processing them through backend systems. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can leverage this flaw to inject JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls by exploiting the trust relationship between legitimate users and the application, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through conventional means.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3033 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the sourcing platform. An authenticated attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by other users, would execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify procurement data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of procurement processes, as sensitive supplier information, pricing data, and business-critical sourcing decisions could be compromised. Organizations utilizing these versions of IBM Emptoris Sourcing Portfolio face significant risk of supply chain attacks, where malicious actors could manipulate procurement workflows, access confidential supplier data, or disrupt business operations through persistent XSS payloads that maintain persistence across user sessions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for all affected versions of IBM Emptoris Sourcing Portfolio. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to detect and block malicious URL patterns. Input validation controls should be strengthened to sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly URL parameters, and implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous URL access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation mechanisms as recommended by OWASP Top Ten Project and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for enterprise application security.