CVE-2016-3006 in Connections
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Web UI in IBM Connections 4.x through 4.5 CR5, 5.0 before CR4, and 5.5 before CR1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an embedded string, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3001 and CVE-2016-3003.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3006 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Connections web user interface components. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the IBM Connections platform including 4.x through 4.5 CR5, 5.0 before CR4, and 5.5 before CR1, making it a widespread issue across several major releases. The vulnerability specifically resides in the web interface processing logic where user-supplied input containing embedded strings is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. This flaw allows authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this collaboration platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Connections web application. When authenticated users submit content containing embedded strings that include malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before displaying them in the user interface. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed as legitimate JavaScript within the browser context of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2016-3001 and CVE-2016-3003, this particular flaw manifests through embedded string injection rather than other attack vectors, making it a distinct but equally dangerous threat.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions and organizational data integrity. An authenticated attacker with access to the IBM Connections platform can craft malicious content that, when viewed by other users, executes arbitrary commands in their browser context. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the deployment of additional malware within the victim's browser environment. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first gain legitimate user credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this flaw to expand their access within the organization. The broad version compatibility of this vulnerability across multiple IBM Connections releases suggests that organizations may have been exposed for extended periods without proper patching or mitigation.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-3006 should implement immediate remediation strategies including applying the latest security patches from IBM, implementing robust input validation controls, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious user activity. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for users can help prevent initial compromise through social engineering tactics that might lead to credential theft. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper input sanitization practices, particularly for web applications handling user-generated content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's attack surface.