CVE-2016-6021 in Management Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform 10.0 and 10.1 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 X-Force ID: 116755.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6021 affects IBM Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform versions 10.0 and 10.1, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the platform's web-based user interface security. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw specifically manifests in the platform's web user interface where user input is not properly sanitized or validated, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the platform's web interface components. When users interact with the platform through web browsers, the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input containing JavaScript code that gets executed in the victim's browser when the page is loaded. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it enables session hijacking and credential theft through techniques such as cookie manipulation and form data interception. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal session tokens, capture login credentials, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users within the trusted session context.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing IBM Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform, as it directly undermines the integrity of the supply chain management system and exposes sensitive business data to unauthorized access. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access confidential supplier information, procurement data, and financial records that are typically protected by the platform's authentication mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1539 for Steal Web Session Cookie, making it a significant threat vector for persistent attackers. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the platform serves as a strategic business tool for supply chain management, where the compromise of a single user session could lead to widespread unauthorized access to critical procurement processes and supplier relationships.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs through proper encoding techniques and employing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution within the application. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vendor would have likely released a fix addressing the XSS vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing to identify any additional vectors of exploitation and implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust input validation controls and proper output encoding practices in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data in enterprise environments where the compromise of user sessions can lead to significant financial and operational damage.