CVE-2014-6178 in WebSphere Service Registry
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the widgets in IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository (WSRR) 7.5.x before 7.5.0.4 and 8.0.x before 8.0.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The CVE-2014-6178 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository versions 7.5.x prior to 7.5.0.4 and 8.0.x prior to 8.0.0.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the widget components of the WSRR platform, which serves as a comprehensive service registry and repository solution for enterprise service management. The flaw resides in how the system processes and renders user input within its widget interfaces, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the widget rendering subsystem of WSRR. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors within the widget functionality. This allows them to bypass standard security controls and execute code in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges or compromise other system components.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations using WSRR to significant security risks including data exfiltration, unauthorized access to service registry information, and potential disruption of business processes that depend on the registry. The authenticated nature of the attack means that insiders or attackers who have gained legitimate access to the system could use this vulnerability to expand their control or steal sensitive information from the service registry. The attack surface is further extended through the widget functionality which is commonly used for dashboard presentations, service monitoring, and administrative interfaces, making the impact more widespread across the platform's user base.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for WSRR versions 7.5.0.4 and 8.0.0.3, which address the input validation deficiencies in the widget components. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious script injection patterns, while security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all WSRR installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through malicious web content. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation policies, enforcing content security policies, and conducting regular security training for administrators to recognize potential XSS attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers against such injection attacks.