CVE-2015-0168 in Security SiteProtector System
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Security SiteProtector System 3.0 before 3.0.0.7, 3.1 before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1 before 3.1.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2019
The CVE-2015-0168 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Security SiteProtector System versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability affects multiple product versions including 3.0.x before 3.0.0.7, 3.1.x before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1.x before 3.1.1.2, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw across IBM's security monitoring platform. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface components of the SiteProtector system, which is designed for network security monitoring and threat detection. The affected system processes user input through unspecified vectors, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SiteProtector web application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed when legitimate users view affected pages. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to leverage the flaw effectively. This authentication requirement slightly limits the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities but does not eliminate the significant risk posed by the flaw. The unspecified vectors indicate that the vulnerability may exist across multiple input points within the application, including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data inputs processed by the system's web interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations utilizing IBM Security SiteProtector System. The ability to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Given that SiteProtector is designed for security monitoring and threat detection, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive security data, manipulate monitoring configurations, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the compromised system could be used to disable security controls or provide attackers with elevated privileges within the security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for the affected versions, as IBM would have released specific fixes for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of user activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting, which categorizes XSS flaws based on their execution contexts and input handling mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as attackers could leverage the XSS to deliver malicious payloads or conduct social engineering campaigns. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable techniques under T1071 Application Layer Protocol for command and control communications if the compromised system is used as a proxy or relay point. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their broader technology stack.