CVE-2016-2934 in BigFix Remote Control
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM BigFix Remote Control before 9.1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2934 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM BigFix Remote Control software prior to version 9.1.3. This security weakness resides in the remote control functionality that enables administrators to manage and monitor endpoints across networked environments. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input or output data, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the scope of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. IBM BigFix Remote Control operates by facilitating remote desktop sessions and system management tasks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise endpoint security. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could potentially be exploited through multiple entry points within the application's user interface or communication protocols, including but not limited to command inputs, session parameters, or configuration data fields.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments that rely on BigFix Remote Control for system administration and endpoint management. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond individual compromised sessions as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate systems and data. Organizations utilizing this software would face potential compliance violations and security breaches that could compromise their overall security posture and expose them to regulatory penalties.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-2934 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation through web-based attacks. Attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access to target systems, leveraging the remote control capabilities to maintain covert presence within networked environments. The remediation strategy should focus on immediate deployment of IBM's security patches and updates to version 9.1.3 or later, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input validation measures. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring procedures to detect suspicious activities in their remote management environments. Security teams must also review and strengthen their incident response protocols to address potential exploitation of this class of vulnerability in their broader security infrastructure.