CVE-2016-2924 in InfoSphere BigInsights
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Infosphere BigInsights is vulnerable to cross-site scripting, caused by improper validation of user-supplied input. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability using a specially-crafted URL to execute script in a victim's Web browser within the security context of the hosting Web site, once the URL is clicked. An attacker could use this vulnerability to steal the victim's cookie-based authentication credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2924 affects IBM Infosphere BigInsights, a big data platform designed for enterprise analytics and data processing. This security flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application interface. The vulnerability exists in the way the platform handles user-supplied data, specifically when processing URLs that contain malicious script content. IBM Infosphere BigInsights typically provides web-based management interfaces and dashboards that allow administrators and users to interact with the big data processing environment through standard web browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through URL parameters or other web interface elements. When a malicious actor crafts a specially designed URL containing executable script code, and this URL is subsequently clicked by an unsuspecting user who has active session cookies with the vulnerable system, the malicious script executes within the user's browser context. This execution happens within the security boundaries of the legitimate web application, allowing the malicious code to operate with the same privileges and access rights as the authenticated user. The vulnerability specifically leverages the trust relationship between the user's browser and the web application, making it particularly dangerous as users are often unaware of the malicious nature of the URLs they click.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a pathway for session hijacking and credential theft. When an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts into the victim's browser, they can access and steal session cookies that contain authentication tokens and other sensitive information. This allows the attacker to impersonate the victim user within the BigInsights environment, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative functions, or other privileged operations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on web-based interfaces for managing their big data environments, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of web application isolation and user authentication.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the affected IBM Infosphere BigInsights versions. The remediation process involves applying the official security patches provided by IBM to address the input validation flaws in the web application components. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts in real-time. Input validation should be strengthened at all entry points where user-supplied data is processed, including URL parameters, form fields, and any other user interface elements that accept external input. Security teams should also conduct regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses and implement proper output encoding techniques to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Organizations should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that might indicate credential theft attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a technique commonly used in the attack phase of the kill chain as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the credential access and persistence categories.