CVE-2016-5884 in iNotes
Summary
by MITRE
IBM iNotes 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
IBM iNotes represents a web-based email and collaboration platform that integrates with IBM Domino server environments, serving as a critical communication infrastructure for enterprise organizations. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5884 manifests as a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the web user interface components of this platform. This weakness enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response handling, effectively compromising the integrity of the web interface and potentially undermining the security posture of the entire Domino environment. The vulnerability exists within the input validation mechanisms that process user-supplied data within the iNotes web application.
The technical exploitation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious script code is processed and rendered within the web interface without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially formatted requests or messages that contain JavaScript payloads, which then execute within the context of other users' browser sessions. This particular vulnerability maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw operates by bypassing the application's security controls that should normally prevent untrusted data from being executed as code within the browser environment, thereby creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5884 extends beyond simple data corruption or interface modification, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and credential theft within trusted user contexts. When successful, attackers can harvest session cookies, login credentials, and other sensitive information transmitted through the vulnerable iNotes interface. This threat vector is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where iNotes serves as a primary communication platform for business-critical operations, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential email communications, calendar data, and contact information. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited repeatedly across multiple user sessions, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on IBM Domino for their collaboration infrastructure.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate deployment of IBM security patches and updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. The remediation process should involve thorough input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious script execution within the iNotes web interface. Security controls should be enhanced through proper content security policy implementation and regular security assessments of the Domino environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through web shell deployment, and T1566 which addresses social engineering through phishing attacks that could exploit such XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations must also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities related to this specific threat vector. Regular security training for administrators and users regarding the risks of untrusted input processing remains essential for maintaining overall security posture.