CVE-2016-0280 in Information Server Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Information Server Framework 8.5, Information Server Framework and InfoSphere Information Server Business Glossary 8.7 before FP2, Information Server Framework and InfoSphere Information Server Business Glossary 9.1 before 9.1.2.0, Information Server Framework and InfoSphere Information Governance Catalog 11.3 before 11.3.1.2, and Information Server Framework and InfoSphere Information Governance Catalog 11.5 before 11.5.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0280 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Information Server products, specifically affecting multiple versions of the Information Server Framework and related components including Business Glossary and Information Governance Catalog. This vulnerability exists in versions 8.5, 8.7, 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5 prior to their respective security fixes, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web application's URL handling mechanisms. When authenticated users navigate to specially crafted URLs containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows attackers to inject HTML content or JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability specifically affects the framework's handling of user-supplied URL parameters, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter links from untrusted sources or where administrators may inadvertently create malicious URLs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform actions with the privileges of authenticated users within the Information Server environment. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of business glossary entries, manipulation of information governance catalog entries, or even complete compromise of the information server infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers need valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the risk as many organizations maintain large numbers of legitimate users who may be targeted through social engineering or credential compromise techniques. The attack vector through crafted URLs makes this vulnerability particularly insidious as users may unknowingly click on malicious links in emails, documents, or web interfaces, leading to automatic exploitation without requiring complex attack scenarios.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security patches provided by IBM for the specific versions mentioned in the CVE description. The mitigation strategy should include applying the latest fix packs and service releases for each affected product line, specifically targeting the framework versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to detect and prevent malicious URL patterns from reaching the vulnerable applications. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their environment and implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure input handling as defined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework under the web application attack patterns category.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise information management systems. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes that include regular vulnerability scanning, automated patch deployment, and continuous monitoring of security advisories from vendors like IBM. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenge of securing complex enterprise applications where multiple components may be vulnerable to similar attack patterns, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security architectures that include defense-in-depth strategies. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire information governance ecosystem, ensuring that the security of information server components remains intact against evolving threat landscapes.