CVE-2014-4751 in Security Access Manager for Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile 8.0.0.0, 8.0.0.1, and 8.0.0.3 allows remote attackers 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 identified as CVE-2014-4751 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile versions 8.0.0.0, 8.0.0.1, and 8.0.0.3. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious content before it is rendered in web browsers. The affected IBM product serves as a mobile access management solution that authenticates users and controls access to enterprise resources, making this XSS vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication tokens, or manipulate access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious URLs containing specially formatted script code or HTML elements that are subsequently processed by the IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile application. When legitimate users navigate to these crafted URLs, the malicious content executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This particular vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious content to gain initial access to systems, specifically through web-based attack vectors that leverage client-side vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects mobile access management systems, which typically handle sensitive authentication data and enterprise access controls.
The operational consequences of this XSS vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the mobile application's behavior and potentially compromise entire mobile access ecosystems. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to create persistent malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or modify access control policies. The affected versions of IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile represent a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure since mobile access managers typically serve as gateways to corporate resources, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. Organizations relying on these vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive systems, and disruption of mobile access services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need not be physically present or have network access to the target environment, making it a particularly concerning threat vector for mobile enterprise environments where users may access corporate resources from various untrusted networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches and updates provided by IBM to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic patterns. Input validation controls should be enhanced to properly sanitize all URL parameters and user-supplied data before processing. Browser security controls such as content security policies and XSS protection mechanisms should be enabled to reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for administrators and users can help identify suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the mitigations are effective and to identify any additional vulnerabilities within the mobile access management infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and proper input validation mechanisms in mobile enterprise applications, as these systems often handle sensitive authentication data and access control functions that make them prime targets for sophisticated attacks.