CVE-2015-0176 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MQ XR WebSockets Listener in WMQ Telemetry in IBM WebSphere MQ 8.0 before 8.0.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URI that is included in an error response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0176 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM WebSphere MQ 8.0's WebSockets Listener component, specifically affecting the WMQ Telemetry functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data within URI parameters. The vulnerability exists in the error response handling mechanism where crafted URIs containing malicious script content are not appropriately escaped or filtered before being rendered in web responses, creating a persistent vector for attacker exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through the WebSockets Listener's processing of malformed URI requests that trigger error responses. When a maliciously crafted URI is submitted to the MQ XR WebSockets Listener, the system generates an error response that includes the original URI content without proper sanitization. This occurs because the system's input validation routines do not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically affects the WMQ Telemetry component which provides monitoring capabilities for WebSphere MQ systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where telemetry data is exposed to untrusted users or external systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple XSS execution as it could allow attackers to access sensitive telemetry information, manipulate monitoring data, or use the vulnerability as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks against the broader WebSphere MQ infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to leverage this flaw, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where MQ systems are exposed to external networks.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. This categorization indicates that the vulnerability represents a classic input validation issue where untrusted data flows directly into web output without proper sanitization. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and potentially T1566 for initial access through web applications, as attackers could use this flaw to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the affected environment. Organizations utilizing IBM WebSphere MQ 8.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation patches, web application firewalls, or access controls that restrict exposure of the affected WebSockets Listener to trusted networks only.
IBM addressed this vulnerability through the release of WebSphere MQ 8.0.0.2 and subsequent maintenance updates that included proper input sanitization for URI parameters within the error response handling code. The fix implemented proper HTML escaping and input validation routines that prevent malicious content from being rendered in error responses. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious URI patterns, and regular security assessments of their MQ telemetry components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation across all application components, particularly those handling user-supplied data in web-facing interfaces. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to web application security and could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring information within enterprise messaging infrastructure.