CVE-2014-3071 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Data Quality Console in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL for adding a project connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3071 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM InfoSphere Information Server's Data Quality Console component. This security weakness exists in version 11.3 of the information server platform and specifically affects the project connection management functionality. The vulnerability arises when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input received through URL parameters during the project connection addition process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain embedded script code, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Data Quality Console's web interface. When users navigate to the project connection addition page, the application processes URL parameters without adequate sanitization of potentially malicious content. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code through specially crafted URLs that manipulate the application's parameter handling routines. The flaw operates at the presentation layer where user-supplied data is directly rendered without proper encoding or validation, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the browser context of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting issues in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Since the Data Quality Console typically handles sensitive data integration and management tasks, successful exploitation could compromise the integrity of data quality processes and potentially expose confidential information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute persistent XSS attacks against authenticated users, allowing them to monitor user activities, capture session tokens, or modify data quality configurations. The vulnerability affects any user with access to the Data Quality Console who interacts with the project connection functionality, potentially impacting enterprise data governance and quality management operations.
Organizations utilizing IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation enhancements, output encoding mechanisms, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter sanitization routines that filter out potentially malicious content before processing user input. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the application context. IBM released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and administrators should ensure all systems are updated to the latest security releases. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers the use of malicious scripts in web applications, and organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web interfaces to identify similar injection vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including regular security testing, input validation controls, and user access management to protect enterprise data integration platforms from sophisticated web-based attacks.