CVE-2016-2991 in Lotus Protector for Mail Security
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IBM Lotus Protector for Mail Security 2.8.0.0 through 2.8.1.0 before 2.8.1.0-22115 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2991 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Lotus Protector for Mail Security versions 2.8.0.0 through 2.8.1.0 before 2.8.1.0-22115. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web interface components of the email security solution. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's user interface, potentially compromising the security of users who interact with the protected email environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Lotus Protector for Mail Security web administration interface. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application's web interface may be susceptible to this injection attack, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it could affect various administrative functions and user interface components. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious content through compromised email security interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that Lotus Protector for Mail Security is designed to protect email environments, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to the email security controls, undermining the very protection the software is meant to provide. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers would need valid user credentials, but this requirement is often achievable through credential theft, social engineering, or other initial compromise techniques, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrators have elevated privileges.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM Lotus Protector for Mail Security should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security fix or patch release 2.8.1.0-22115. Additionally, implementing proper input validation controls, output encoding, and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting security awareness training for administrators to reduce the risk of credential compromise that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.