CVE-2015-0109 in Maximo for Utilities
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1 through 7.1.1.8, and Maximo Asset Management 7.1 through 7.1.1.8 and 7.2 for Tivoli IT Asset Management for IT and certain other products, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0104, CVE-2015-0107, and CVE-2015-0108.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0109 represents a cross-site scripting weakness affecting IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.1.1.8 and 7.2 within Tivoli IT Asset Management for IT environments. This security flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected applications. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that distinguish it from related issues such as CVE-2015-0104, CVE-2015-0107, and CVE-2015-0108, indicating a unique attack surface within the Maximo platform. The affected systems include both Maximo Asset Management 7.1.x series and 7.2 releases specifically within the Tivoli IT Asset Management for IT product line, suggesting this flaw impacts a substantial portion of IBM's enterprise asset management ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Maximo application's web interface components. Attackers leveraging authenticated access can manipulate application parameters or form inputs to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This typically occurs when user-supplied data is improperly sanitized before being rendered back to web clients, creating opportunities for script injection attacks. The vulnerability manifests in scenarios where the application fails to adequately escape or filter special characters in user-provided content, allowing attackers to craft payloads that bypass security controls designed to prevent such attacks. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0109 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive data, modify application functionality, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the vulnerability requires authenticated access, it primarily affects internal users with legitimate credentials, though it could be exploited by insiders with malicious intent or through compromised accounts. The implications for enterprise environments are significant as Maximo Asset Management systems typically contain sensitive operational data, asset information, and business-critical asset management processes. Attackers could potentially access confidential asset details, manipulate maintenance schedules, or gain unauthorized access to system functionalities that could disrupt business operations and compromise asset integrity.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves applying the official IBM security patches released for affected versions of Maximo Asset Management and Tivoli IT Asset Management. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code can help prevent similar issues from occurring. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual user behavior patterns and anomalous data access attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The mitigation strategies align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to defense evasion and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management approaches.