CVE-2016-5902 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 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 • 08/12/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.5.0 through 7.6.0.2 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding in the web user interface components. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied data within web requests, where the system fails to properly sanitize or encode potentially malicious script content before rendering it in the browser context. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript code through various input fields and parameters that are processed by the application's web interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly enables XSS attacks by permitting untrusted data to be executed in the victim's browser. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the application's trust relationship with legitimate users, potentially executing scripts within the context of a victim's session. When a user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with a compromised application component, the injected javascript code executes in the victim's browser, enabling attackers to access session cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as the vulnerability can be leveraged to steal user credentials, hijack sessions, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Maximo Asset Management systems handle sensitive operational data and user authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking. The impact is significant as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the application's web interface, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise asset management systems. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Maximo Asset Management should immediately implement input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-5902 requires understanding the application's web architecture and input processing flows. The vulnerability manifests when user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in HTML contexts, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browser of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability typically occurs in applications where dynamic content generation fails to properly escape special characters that have meaning in HTML or javascript contexts. The flaw represents a classic XSS vulnerability where the application does not implement proper content security policies or input sanitization routines. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including reflected XSS in URL parameters, stored XSS in persistent data fields, or DOM-based XSS in client-side javascript processing. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that Maximo Asset Management systems often contain sensitive business data and user credentials within their sessions. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious payloads that bypass existing security controls and then delivering these payloads through social engineering or direct exploitation of vulnerable input fields. Security controls such as Content Security Policy headers, proper input validation, and output encoding should be implemented to prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in enterprise web applications and the need for regular security testing to identify and remediate such weaknesses.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2016-5902 across their IBM Maximo Asset Management deployments. The primary approach involves applying the official IBM security patches and updates that address the specific XSS vulnerabilities in the affected versions. Additionally, organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms that filter or sanitize user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on web interface components that handle dynamic content generation. Output encoding should be implemented at all points where user data is rendered in HTML contexts to prevent script execution. Network-based security controls including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor and block suspicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities in the application's web interface components. The implementation of secure coding practices and security awareness training for development teams can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions. Organizations should also consider implementing session management controls that limit the impact of successful XSS attacks, including short session timeouts and secure cookie attributes. Compliance with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks should guide the overall security posture and remediation efforts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise asset management systems from sophisticated web-based attacks.