CVE-2015-5008 in WebSphere Commerce
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Commerce 6.0 through FP11, 6.0 Feature Pack 4, 7.0 through FP9, 7.0 Feature Pack 5 through 8, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2022
The CVE-2015-5008 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce platform. This vulnerability exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically in how the system processes and renders URLs containing malicious payloads. The affected versions span across IBM WebSphere Commerce 6.0 through FP11, 6.0 Feature Pack 4, 7.0 through FP9, 7.0 Feature Pack 5 through 8, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.1, indicating a widespread issue that impacted a significant portion of the platform's user base. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within URL structures, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that bypass the application's security controls. When a victim's browser processes these crafted URLs, the malicious code executes within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The flaw specifically affects how the web application handles URL parameters and query strings, failing to properly escape or validate input before rendering it in web pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of a client-side injection vulnerability. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the commerce platform's core functionality, potentially compromising customer data and business transactions.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM WebSphere Commerce, as it allows attackers to exploit user sessions and potentially gain access to sensitive customer information including personal details, payment information, and transaction records. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence. The attack vector through crafted URLs makes it particularly dangerous as users may inadvertently click on malicious links in emails, social media, or compromised websites, leading to automatic exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for account access and session manipulation. Organizations utilizing these commerce platforms face potential reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses due to compromised customer data and potential fraud.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5008 involve immediate application of vendor security patches and updates to the affected IBM WebSphere Commerce versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the application context. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential input validation gaps. Additionally, implementing content security policies and proper HTTP headers can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing strict URL validation mechanisms, input sanitization routines, and regular security training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls throughout the application lifecycle to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.