CVE-2016-9718 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server 10.1. 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: 119732.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server versions 10.1 through 11.6 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 at the application layer where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate the web interface behavior. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting weakness, specifically manifesting as reflected XSS where the malicious payload is executed immediately upon page load. This issue falls within the ATT&CK framework under TA0001 Initial Access and TA0006 Credential Access categories, as it provides a vector for attackers to establish persistent access and potentially harvest session credentials. The security implications are severe as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript within the context of a victim's browser session, which can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized data manipulation. When an authenticated user interacts with the vulnerable application, the injected JavaScript code executes in their browser, potentially capturing their session tokens or other sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that InfoSphere Master Data Management serves as a critical enterprise data management platform where users maintain access to sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability affects all supported versions in the 10.1 through 11.6 release series, indicating a widespread impact across the product lifecycle. Organizations utilizing these versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their master data management systems, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of their core data assets. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be achieved through simple injection techniques targeting web form inputs or URL parameters. IBM's vulnerability classification aligns with industry standards where XSS vulnerabilities are categorized as high-risk due to their potential for credential theft and session manipulation. The threat landscape for this vulnerability includes both automated scanning tools and sophisticated attackers who may leverage it as a stepping stone for further exploitation within the enterprise network. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms as immediate mitigations while applying the vendor-provided security patches. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture, highlighting the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that should be enforced throughout the entire development lifecycle. This issue demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in enterprise software platforms. The impact extends beyond immediate credential theft to potential data integrity compromise and unauthorized administrative access to the master data management system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on centralized data governance solutions.