CVE-2016-0322 in Connections
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Connections 4.0 through CR4, 4.5 through CR5, 5.0 through CR4, and 5.5 before CR1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by uploading an HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0322 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Connections software across multiple versions including 4.0 through CR4, 4.5 through CR5, 5.0 through CR4, and 5.5 before CR1. This vulnerability specifically affects the document upload functionality within the platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in the handling of HTML documents uploaded by authenticated users, who possess legitimate credentials within the system. This represents a significant security risk as it enables attackers to leverage their authenticated status to compromise other users within the same environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Connections document processing pipeline. When authenticated users upload HTML documents, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the content before rendering it in web pages accessible to other users. This inadequate sanitization allows malicious HTML content containing script tags or other executable elements to be stored and subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who view the uploaded documents. The vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS attack vector because the malicious content remains stored within the system and can affect multiple users over time rather than being a one-time injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker with authenticated access can upload a specially crafted HTML document containing malicious JavaScript that executes in the context of other users' sessions, potentially compromising the entire user base within the IBM Connections environment. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the platform and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information, disruption of business operations, and potential compliance violations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only authenticated access, which many users possess within enterprise environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced input validation, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of uploaded HTML content, implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms, and deploying content security policies that prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing file type restrictions, content analysis tools, and regular security assessments of their IBM Connections deployments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of web shell deployment and persistent threat execution. Regular updates and patches from IBM should be prioritized to address this vulnerability and prevent exploitation by threat actors seeking to leverage authenticated access for broader system compromise.