CVE-2016-0282 in iNotes
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM iNotes before 8.5.3 FP6 IF2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka SPR KLYHAAHNUS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0282 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM iNotes email and collaboration software. This security weakness affects versions prior to 8.5.3 FP6 IF2 and enables remote authenticated attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulated URL parameters. The vulnerability specifically resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within URL structures, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within IBM iNotes' web interface. When authenticated users navigate to 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 leverage their authenticated session to inject JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the web-based interface of iNotes, making it particularly dangerous as it requires only a valid user account to exploit.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM iNotes for email and collaboration services. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even escalate privileges within the application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can leverage the authenticated context to perform actions that would normally require elevated permissions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where iNotes serves as a primary communication platform for sensitive business information and internal collaboration.
The security implications align with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering through malicious links and T1059 for command and control through script injection. Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for IBM iNotes 8.5.3 FP6 IF2 to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing strict input validation measures, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Network segmentation and user access controls can further reduce the attack surface, while user education about recognizing suspicious links remains a crucial defensive measure against exploitation attempts.