CVE-2016-1598 in IDM Identity Applications
Summary
by MITRE
XSS in NetIQ IDM 4.5 Identity Applications before 4.5.4 allows attackers able to change their username to inject arbitrary HTML code into the Role Assignment administrator HTML pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1598 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within NetIQ Identity Manager 4.5 Identity Applications, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.5.4. This security weakness resides in the Role Assignment administrator HTML pages where user-controlled input is not properly sanitized or validated. The vulnerability manifests when attackers with the ability to modify their username can inject malicious HTML code that executes within the context of the administrator's browser session.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific nature of this flaw in NetIQ IDM 4.5 demonstrates poor input validation practices where the system fails to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in HTML output contexts. The attack vector specifically targets the username modification functionality, which then gets reflected in the Role Assignment administrator interface without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code into the Role Assignment pages, they could potentially execute arbitrary commands in the context of the administrator's browser, potentially leading to full system compromise. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as modifying user roles, accessing sensitive data, or redirecting administrators to malicious sites. The attack requires minimal privileges since the attacker only needs to be able to change their own username, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with relatively low access levels.
The vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation through web application attacks. The attack chain typically involves the attacker first gaining access to a user account, then exploiting the username modification feature to inject malicious scripts that can be executed by administrators. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in web applications can create persistent security risks. Organizations using NetIQ IDM 4.5 Identity Applications should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch version 4.5.4 or higher to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, along with regular security assessments of web applications, can help prevent similar issues from occurring in other systems. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper security controls in identity management systems where administrators are frequently exposed to potentially malicious input from users within the system.