CVE-2016-0293 in BigFix Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM BigFix Platform (formerly Tivoli Endpoint Manager) 9.x before 9.1.8 and 9.2.x before 9.2.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a modified .beswrpt file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2019
The CVE-2016-0293 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM BigFix Platform versions 9.x prior to 9.1.8 and 9.2.x prior to 9.2.8. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the platform's handling of .beswrpt files, which are used for reporting and data exchange purposes. These files contain structured data that is processed and rendered within the web interface, creating an attack surface where untrusted input can be manipulated to execute malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of .beswrpt files that are processed by the BigFix platform. When these files are uploaded or processed by the system, they are not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution within the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious sites. The flaw exists in the web application's rendering engine that processes these report files, where input validation occurs too late in the processing pipeline or not at all for certain data elements within the .beswrpt format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attacks that compromise the integrity of endpoint management operations. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive endpoint data, manipulate report results, or establish persistent access points within the BigFix environment. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed without requiring authentication to the BigFix platform itself, as the malicious .beswrpt files can be uploaded through various legitimate channels within the platform's architecture. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad, compromising both confidentiality and integrity of the endpoint management data, while potentially affecting availability through session hijacking or denial of service attacks.
Organizations utilizing IBM BigFix Platform should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory input validation for all .beswrpt file uploads, deployment of web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and regular security updates to patch the vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through command and scripting interfaces. Recommended remediation strategies include implementing strict file type validation, deploying content security policies to prevent script execution, and establishing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their BigFix environments to identify any other potential attack vectors and ensure that proper access controls are in place to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities.