CVE-2016-5883 in iNotes
Summary
by MITRE
IBM iNotes 8.5 and 9.0 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM Reference #: 1997010.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
IBM iNotes version 8.5 and 9.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based email client interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web user interface, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw specifically affects the web-based rendering of user-generated content where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters before displaying them in the browser context. According to the IBM security advisory reference number 1997010, this vulnerability exists due to inadequate sanitization of user inputs that are subsequently rendered without proper context-aware encoding.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users submit content containing malicious script tags or other JavaScript payloads through various input points within the iNotes web interface. These input points may include email message bodies, subject lines, or other editable fields that are later displayed to other users or administrators. When the vulnerable application processes and renders this content without proper sanitization, the embedded JavaScript executes within the browser context of authenticated users who view the malicious content. This cross-site scripting condition creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can leverage the trust relationship between the victim browser and the iNotes application to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and credential theft within the trusted session context. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, capture user credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites that appear to be legitimate iNotes interfaces. The threat is particularly severe because iNotes serves as a corporate email platform where users maintain access to sensitive business data, making the potential for data exfiltration and unauthorized access particularly dangerous. This vulnerability effectively undermines the security model of the application by allowing attackers to execute code in the context of authenticated sessions, potentially enabling them to access confidential emails, calendar entries, and contact information.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1531 Account Access Removal. The attack surface is significantly expanded through the use of persistent XSS payloads that can remain active for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain access to compromised sessions over time. Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended remediation involves applying IBM's security patches and updates, implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms, and establishing web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious email content and regular security assessments should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability.