CVE-2015-1968 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, and 11.4 before FP03 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1968 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition across multiple versions including 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, and 11.4 before fix pack 03. This vulnerability resides in the web application layer of the master data management platform, which serves as a central repository for managing critical business data across organizations. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts by manipulating URL parameters, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive master data environments. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The affected IBM product serves as a cornerstone for enterprise data governance, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow unauthorized access to critical business information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web application's URL handling mechanisms. When authenticated users navigate to specifically crafted URLs containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that attackers who have legitimate access to the system can leverage their credentials to inject malicious payloads. The attack vector operates through the web interface of the master data management platform, where URL parameters are processed without adequate sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across different browser environments. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture, particularly in its handling of user-supplied data within web contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify data displayed in the application, or even escalate privileges within the master data management system. The exposure of sensitive master data through this vulnerability could result in significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses. Organizations relying on IBM InfoSphere for critical data management operations face potential data integrity issues, as attackers could manipulate master data records through the XSS payload execution. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within the enterprise network, as the compromised application could serve as a foothold for further attacks. This represents a serious concern for compliance frameworks such as soc 2, iso 27001, and pci dss, where maintaining data integrity and protecting against unauthorized access are paramount requirements.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-1968 should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided fix pack 03 for all affected versions of IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition. The recommended approach includes deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious URL parameters and implementing strict input validation controls within the application. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent script execution and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual URL access patterns. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a web application attack vector means that organizations should review their defensive strategies against persistent threats and consider implementing additional security controls beyond traditional perimeter defenses. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the enterprise environment, as this vulnerability demonstrates the need for comprehensive input validation across all web interfaces. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of clicking on suspicious links and the importance of maintaining updated security patches should be emphasized to reduce the attack surface and improve overall security posture.