CVE-2014-4838 in TRIRIGA Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in GanttProjectSchedulerPopup.jsp in IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform 3.2 and 3.3 before 3.3.0.2, 3.3.1 before 3.3.1.3, 3.3.2 before 3.3.2.2, and 3.4 before 3.4.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4838 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform, specifically affecting versions 3.2 and 3.3 before their respective patch releases and versions 3.3.2 and 3.4 before their security updates. This issue resides in the GanttProjectSchedulerPopup.jsp component, which serves as a user interface element for project scheduling within the platform's web application framework. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users access a specially crafted URL that contains malicious script content, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' sessions. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials within the TRIRIGA platform, making it an authenticated XSS vulnerability rather than a purely remote threat. However, the impact remains severe as authenticated users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive project data, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security. The vulnerability's presence in the GanttProjectSchedulerPopup.jsp component suggests that project management functionality within the platform is susceptible to script injection attacks, which could allow attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector specifically involves manipulation of URL parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious code execution in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire TRIRIGA platform environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, extract sensitive project information, or even escalate privileges within the application's access control framework. Given that TRIRIGA is used for enterprise project management and business application development, the potential for data exfiltration and unauthorized system manipulation is significant. The vulnerability affects multiple minor versions within the platform's lifecycle, indicating that IBM's security team identified this as a widespread issue requiring coordinated patching across different release streams. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access to critical business data and project schedules, potentially disrupting operational continuity and exposing sensitive corporate information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches released by IBM for versions 3.3.0.2, 3.3.1.3, 3.3.2.2, and 3.4.0.1, which address the input validation flaws in the GanttProjectSchedulerPopup.jsp component. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring and filtering malicious URL parameters. Security teams should also implement comprehensive input sanitization practices and establish regular security assessments of the platform's web components to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1531 technique of "Account Access Token Manipulation" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript", highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage such vulnerabilities for broader compromise. Additionally, organizations should conduct user awareness training to recognize potential phishing attempts that might exploit this vulnerability and establish monitoring procedures for unusual URL patterns or user behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.