CVE-2016-5981 in FileNet Workplace
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM FileNet Workplace XT through 1.1.5.2-WPXT-LA011 and FileNet Workplace (Application Engine) through 4.0.2.14-P8AE-IF001, when RegExpSecurityFilter and ScriptSecurityFilter are misconfigured, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5981 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM FileNet Workplace XT and Application Engine components. This security weakness manifests when specific security filters known as RegExpSecurityFilter and ScriptSecurityFilter are improperly configured within the affected systems. The vulnerability impacts versions through 1.1.5.2-WPXT-LA011 for Workplace XT and 4.0.2.14-P8AE-IF001 for Application Engine, creating a persistent threat vector that enables malicious actors to execute unauthorized web scripts and HTML code within the context of user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM FileNet platform. When the RegExpSecurityFilter and ScriptSecurityFilter configurations are misconfigured, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses. This misconfiguration creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized system access. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface encompasses multiple input points within the application's user interface and data processing pipelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of the FileNet environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate user sessions, potentially gaining access to sensitive business documents and system information. The vulnerability's presence in enterprise content management systems like FileNet creates a particularly concerning threat landscape, as these platforms typically handle confidential corporate data and business-critical processes. The attack vector allows for persistent exploitation that can remain undetected while attackers maintain unauthorized access to the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement configuration hardening measures to ensure proper deployment of RegExpSecurityFilter and ScriptSecurityFilter components. The recommended mitigation strategy involves verifying that security filter configurations are properly enforced and that input validation mechanisms are robustly implemented. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all FileNet installations to identify misconfigured systems and apply necessary patches or configuration updates. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous script injection attempts, and user access controls should be reviewed to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation leading to code execution in web contexts. From an attack perspective, the vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The misconfiguration aspect of this vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1562.001 for disabling security controls, emphasizing the critical importance of proper security configuration management in enterprise applications.