CVE-2016-2994 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM UrbanCode Deploy 6.2.x before 6.2.1.2 allows 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-2016-2994 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM UrbanCode Deploy version 6.2.x prior to 6.2.1.2. This issue affects the deployment automation platform used by enterprises for managing complex software release processes and infrastructure deployments. The vulnerability exists in the web interface component of the application where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. As an authenticated user with appropriate privileges, an attacker can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw manifests when the application fails to validate and escape user input that is subsequently displayed in web pages without proper sanitization mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious code can be injected through unspecified vectors that likely include form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable input points within the UrbanCode Deploy interface. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must first establish valid credentials, which reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk since many administrative accounts may have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could potentially exploit this to gain unauthorized access to sensitive deployment information, manipulate deployment workflows, or compromise the integrity of the entire deployment pipeline. Given that UrbanCode Deploy is commonly used for critical infrastructure management and software release automation, the potential damage from a successful exploitation could include unauthorized deployments, data breaches, or disruption of business operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on automated deployment processes and could lead to significant operational disruptions if exploited.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM UrbanCode Deploy 6.2.1.2 or later versions which contain the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening input validation mechanisms within the application, implementing proper output encoding for all user-supplied content, and conducting thorough security testing of the deployment environment. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious activities within the UrbanCode Deploy interface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving web application attacks and session management flaws, potentially enabling later stages of the attack chain such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the deployment infrastructure.