CVE-2016-8975 in Rhapsody DM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rhapsody DM 5.0 and 6.0 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: 118912.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
IBM Rhapsody DM versions 5.0 and 6.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw exists in the web user interface layer where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables various attack vectors including session hijacking and credential theft. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the application may be used by authorized users with elevated privileges, as the injected scripts can leverage existing trusted sessions to access sensitive data or perform unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's intended behavior and potentially compromise user credentials. When users interact with the vulnerable web interface, malicious JavaScript code can be executed in their browsers, allowing attackers to steal session cookies, capture login credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components that handle user input, making any field that accepts user data a potential attack vector. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the XSS weakness by embedding JavaScript code in forms, URL parameters, or other input fields that are processed by the application's web interface. This enables a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, where attackers can impersonate legitimate users, and credential harvesting, where login information is captured and transmitted to attacker-controlled servers. The attack can be executed through various methods including phishing campaigns, direct exploitation of vulnerable web pages, or by leveraging the application's existing user trust relationships to bypass security controls.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rhapsody DM 5.0 and 6.0 must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application, ensuring that all user-provided data is sanitized before being processed or displayed. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, using proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and validating all input parameters against whitelisted character sets. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify additional vulnerabilities in the application's web interface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which describes how attackers can use JavaScript to execute malicious code within web browsers. Additionally, this weakness maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 - Account Access Removal, as compromised sessions can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling XSS-related security events. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing web-based attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and organizational security postures.