CVE-2015-1906 in Business Process Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the REST API in IBM Business Process Manager (BPM) 7.5.x through 7.5.1.2, 8.0.x through 8.0.1.3, 8.5.0 through 8.5.0.1, 8.5.5 through 8.5.5.0, and 8.5.6 through 8.5.6.0 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-1906 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in IBM Business Process Manager's REST API implementation across multiple version ranges including 7.5.x through 7.5.1.2, 8.0.x through 8.0.1.3, 8.5.0 through 8.5.0.1, 8.5.5 through 8.5.5.0, and 8.5.6 through 8.5.6.0. This issue specifically affects the REST API component which serves as a critical interface for programmatic access to business process management functionalities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the API's URL parameter handling, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. This flaw exists at the application layer and specifically targets the API's processing of user-supplied URL parameters that are not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web responses. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, making it a classic cross-site scripting vector that can be exploited by remote authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users send crafted URLs containing malicious script payloads to the affected IBM BPM REST API endpoints. The API fails to properly validate or encode the URL parameters before incorporating them into HTTP responses, allowing the injected scripts to execute within the context of a victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can leverage the authenticated nature of the API to bypass traditional client-side security measures. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the system, making it accessible to users who have legitimate access rights but could potentially abuse their privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in IBM BPM's input sanitization processes, where the system assumes that valid API parameters will not contain malicious content and fails to implement proper contextual output encoding for web-based responses. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web-based scripting execution within the application context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the BPM environment. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when executed, would steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the authenticated user's privileges. The implications are particularly severe given that IBM BPM systems typically handle sensitive business processes and data, making the potential for data compromise significant. Organizations using affected versions of IBM BPM face risks including unauthorized access to business process information, manipulation of workflow processes, and potential lateral movement within network environments where BPM systems are integrated. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on the REST API for integration purposes, making it a critical concern for enterprises with complex business process automation deployments. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that insiders or compromised legitimate users pose a significant risk, as they can leverage their existing credentials to exploit this weakness without requiring additional authentication mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official IBM security patches and updates released for the affected versions of IBM BPM, which contain proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities to monitor and block malicious URL patterns targeting the REST API endpoints. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, particularly restricting access to the REST API to only necessary administrative and integration services. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level by implementing comprehensive parameter sanitization and output encoding for all URL parameters. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual API access patterns and suspicious URL parameter combinations. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their BPM environments to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may be present in related components or integrations. Regular security training for administrators and developers should emphasize secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and output encoding, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing regressions in functionality.