CVE-2016-6121 in Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management 10.0.x and 10.1.x 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: 118383.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6121 affects IBM Emptoris Supplier Lifecycle Management versions 10.0.x and 10.1.x, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications. The flaw exists within the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to embed arbitrary JavaScript code through crafted user inputs that are then executed in the context of other users' sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the web application's behavior by injecting malicious scripts that can execute within the victim's browser session. When users interact with the vulnerable application, the injected JavaScript code can access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that the authenticated user has access to. This cross-site scripting vulnerability specifically targets the web user interface components where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to the browser. The attack vector typically involves submitting malicious input through forms or parameters that are then reflected in the application's response without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and credential disclosure within trusted sessions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal session tokens, capture login credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the supplier lifecycle management system. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using the Emptoris platform for supplier management, as it could enable unauthorized access to sensitive supplier data, procurement processes, and financial information. This risk is amplified because the application handles critical business functions including supplier onboarding, contract management, and procurement workflows where sensitive data is regularly exchanged.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected versions to the latest available releases from IBM. The remediation approach should include input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection, with specific attention to sanitizing all user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while implementing content security policies can help prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The mitigation strategy should also encompass user education regarding phishing and social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability, while establishing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual network traffic patterns or anomalous user behavior. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through malicious scripts, and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure when not properly addressed through layered defensive measures.