CVE-2016-5947 in Spectrum Control
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Spectrum Control (formerly Tivoli Storage Productivity Center) 5.2.x before 5.2.11 allows remote authenticated users to conduct clickjacking attacks via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2019
IBM Spectrum Control formerly known as Tivoli Storage Productivity Center version 5.2.x prior to 5.2.11 contains a critical web application vulnerability that enables remote authenticated users to execute clickjacking attacks through maliciously crafted websites. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the storage management platform, which fails to implement adequate protection mechanisms against overlay attacks where malicious actors can deceive users into performing unintended actions. The flaw specifically affects the user authentication and session management components that do not properly validate or sanitize user interactions within the web application context. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating deceptive web pages that overlay legitimate application interfaces, tricking authenticated users into executing unintended administrative commands or actions within the Spectrum Control environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient implementation of the X-Frame-Options header and other frame-busting techniques that should prevent the application from being embedded within other websites. This issue represents a classic clickjacking vulnerability that falls under the CWE-1021 category, which specifically addresses improper restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames. The attack vector requires that users be authenticated to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrative privileges are commonly used. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on IBM Spectrum Control for storage management operations, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions including storage provisioning, configuration changes, or data access modifications without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple session hijacking to potentially enable full administrative control over storage resources, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when users maintain elevated privileges within the system. Organizations using this software are particularly vulnerable in environments where users may browse untrusted websites or where social engineering attacks are prevalent. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication from attackers, making it an attractive target for both automated attacks and targeted campaigns. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter, as the clickjacking could lead to command execution through manipulated administrative interfaces. The affected versions represent a critical security gap in the web application security posture of IBM Spectrum Control, as the application fails to implement proper security headers that would prevent the embedding of its interface in malicious contexts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing comprehensive web application security controls including proper frame handling, content security policies, and user interface security measures. The patch for this vulnerability involves updating to IBM Spectrum Control version 5.2.11 or later, which includes the necessary security headers and frame protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential clickjacking attempts against their storage management systems. The vulnerability highlights the broader challenge of securing enterprise storage management platforms and the critical need for regular security updates and proper security configuration practices. Without proper mitigation, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical storage infrastructure and potentially cause significant operational disruption or data compromise within enterprise environments. The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation to include potential long-term persistence mechanisms and the ability to escalate privileges within the storage management domain.