CVE-2015-4957 in Security QRadar SIEM
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Web UI in IBM Security QRadar SIEM 7.1.x before 7.1 MR2 Patch 12 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4957 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Web UI component of IBM Security QRadar SIEM version 7.1.x prior to 7.1 MR2 Patch 12. This vulnerability specifically affects the security information and event management platform that organizations rely upon for threat detection and incident response. The flaw exists in the user interface layer where input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are not adequately validated or sanitized by the application's input processing routines. When an authenticated user navigates to a specially crafted URL containing malicious script code, the web application fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in the user interface. This allows attackers to inject HTML content or JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive security data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper input validation creates opportunities for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to leverage authenticated user privileges within the QRadar environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive security information, modify system configurations, or escalate privileges within the SIEM platform. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the vulnerability requires a valid user account, but this access level is often sufficient for attackers to cause significant damage within the security operations center. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be delivered through malicious URLs that appear legitimate, making social engineering attacks more effective and difficult to detect.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security QRadar SIEM 7.1.x should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of IBM Security QRadar SIEM 7.1 MR2 Patch 12, which addresses the input validation deficiencies that enable this vulnerability. The patch implementation should be followed by comprehensive testing to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing security policies or monitoring workflows. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should also review access controls and user permissions to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that may be running vulnerable versions of the software, as the attack surface extends beyond the primary SIEM platform to any integrated security tools that might share similar input validation weaknesses.