CVE-2015-0195 in Content Template Catalog
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Content Template Catalog 4.x before 4.1.4 for WebSphere Portal 8.0.x and 4.x before 4.3.1 for WebSphere Portal 8.5.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0195 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Content Template Catalog components that were widely deployed in enterprise web portal environments. This vulnerability specifically affects IBM WebSphere Portal versions 8.0.x and 8.5.x, where the Content Template Catalog functionality fails to properly sanitize user input in URL parameters, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code injection. The flaw resides in the application's handling of web requests and demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding that has been consistently documented in cybersecurity literature as a primary attack vector for web-based exploits. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, making it a well-understood and extensively documented security weakness in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of URL parameters within the Content Template Catalog functionality. When users navigate to specific URLs containing crafted malicious payloads, the application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before rendering them in web responses. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing malicious URLs that contain script tags or other HTML content, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the compromised pages. This type of vulnerability operates under the principle of trust and privilege escalation, where legitimate application functionality becomes a conduit for malicious code execution. The exploitation mechanism aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which describes the use of scripting languages for execution within web applications, specifically targeting the JavaScript execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the portal environment. When exploited successfully, attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM WebSphere Portal in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with portal content, making it particularly dangerous in corporate settings where sensitive information is handled. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability exists in URL handling functionality that is likely accessed by numerous users throughout the organization, creating multiple potential entry points for threat actors. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0195 primarily involve applying the official IBM security patches and updates released for WebSphere Portal versions 8.0.x and 8.5.x. Organizations should immediately upgrade to IBM Content Template Catalog versions 4.1.4 for WebSphere Portal 8.0.x and 4.3.1 for WebSphere Portal 8.5.x to address the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth measures. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive testing of their portal environments to identify similar vulnerabilities and establish robust security controls that align with industry best practices for web application security.