CVE-2014-3034 in Emptoris Contract Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Emptoris Contract Management 9.5.x before 9.5.0.6 iFix 10, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1 iFix 10, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.4, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.2 iFix 2 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 vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3034 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Emptoris Contract Management software across multiple version branches. This security weakness affects versions 9.5.x before 9.5.0.6 iFix 10, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1 iFix 10, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.4, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.2 iFix 2, creating a significant risk for organizations utilizing this contract management platform. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied URL parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when authenticated users interact with the application through crafted URLs that contain malicious payloads. These payloads are processed without proper sanitization or encoding, enabling attackers to execute scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the URL parameter handling functionality, where user input is directly reflected in the application's output without adequate security controls. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious content into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive contract information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that persists in the application's interface. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need valid credentials to exploit it, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the risk since legitimate users may be compromised through various means such as credential theft, social engineering, or insider threats. Organizations using IBM Emptoris Contract Management are particularly vulnerable because contract management systems typically contain highly sensitive business information including pricing details, vendor contracts, and strategic agreements that could be accessed or manipulated by unauthorized parties.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Attackers can use this XSS vulnerability as a vector for credential theft through session hijacking or as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple version branches indicates a systemic issue in the application's input validation mechanisms, suggesting that organizations should prioritize immediate patching across all affected systems. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach requires organizations to apply the respective iFix updates provided by IBM, which address the input validation flaws in the URL parameter handling code. Additionally, organizations should implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, deploy web application firewalls, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be implemented at all levels of application development to prevent such persistent security flaws from manifesting in production systems.