CVE-2015-4939 in Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management and Emptoris Program Management 10.x before 10.0.1.4_iFix3, 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.7_iFix1, 10.0.3.x before 10.0.3.2, and 10.0.4.x before 10.0.4.0_iFix1 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 CVE-2015-4939 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management and Emptoris Program Management software versions across multiple release streams. This vulnerability resides in the web application layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes crafted URLs that contain malicious script code, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the victim's browser session. The vulnerability impacts versions 10.x prior to 10.0.1.4_iFix3, 10.0.2.x prior to 10.0.2.7_iFix1, 10.0.3.x prior to 10.0.3.2, and 10.0.4.x prior to 10.0.4.0_iFix1, indicating a widespread issue affecting the core functionality of these enterprise supplier management platforms. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, where improper input validation allows malicious code execution in user browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of URL parameters that are processed by the application's web interface. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that get executed when legitimate users navigate to these pages or click on links within the application. The injection happens at the point where user input is directly embedded into web responses without proper encoding or sanitization mechanisms. This allows attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute malicious code within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the supplier management functionality where users frequently interact with external links and data, creating multiple attack vectors through which malicious payloads can be delivered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive supplier information, manipulate data within the application, and potentially escalate privileges within the supplier management ecosystem. An attacker could use this vulnerability to impersonate legitimate users, access confidential supplier data, modify supplier records, or redirect users to malicious websites. The business implications are significant for organizations using these platforms, as supplier data integrity and confidentiality are paramount in procurement operations. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of supplier lifecycle management, potentially compromising the entire supplier relationship management process. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where sensitive procurement data, supplier contracts, and business-critical information flows through these applications.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-4939 should immediately implement the vendor-provided security fixes and patches for the specific affected versions mentioned in the advisory. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor application logs for suspicious URL patterns. Network security controls should be enhanced to filter and inspect URL parameters for known malicious patterns, while web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block XSS attack vectors. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure no regression issues affect business functionality, particularly in supplier data management workflows. Security teams should also implement regular security scanning procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications and establish incident response protocols specifically for XSS incidents. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web interfaces.