CVE-2016-9715 in Infosphere Master Data Management Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server 11.0, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, and 11.6 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: 119728.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9715 affects IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server versions 11.0 through 11.6, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security of web-based administrative interfaces. This vulnerability resides within the web user interface components of the master data management platform, where insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes user inputs that are subsequently displayed without adequate sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of web interface parameters or form fields that accept user input, allowing attackers to embed JavaScript payloads that execute within the context of authenticated user sessions. When a victim user accesses a maliciously crafted URL or interacts with a compromised web page, the injected JavaScript code executes in the browser of the authenticated user, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted within the trusted session. This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the user's browser and the vulnerable web application, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional network-based security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized administrative access to the master data management system. Attackers can leverage the stolen credentials to perform privileged operations within the MDM environment, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of master data assets that the system manages. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IBM InfoSphere for critical data governance functions, where unauthorized access to master data management capabilities could result in data corruption, unauthorized data modifications, or complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, suggesting a widespread exposure across enterprise environments utilizing IBM's master data management solutions.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patch deployment from IBM, which addresses the input validation and output encoding deficiencies in the affected web components. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers, while user education regarding suspicious web interactions and session management practices remains crucial. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a technique commonly categorized under the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 sub-technique for script-based attacks. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom web applications, while implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of enterprise web applications to prevent exploitation of persistent security flaws.