CVE-2016-9737 in TRIRIGA
Summary
by MITRE
IBM TRIRIGA 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 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 Reference #: 1996200.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2020
IBM TRIRIGA versions 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 contain a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the security integrity of 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 application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that contains JavaScript payload within form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data entry points within the TRIRIGA interface. When the application processes and displays this malicious input without proper sanitization, the injected JavaScript executes in the victim's browser, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability particularly affects authenticated users who maintain trusted sessions within the application, making it especially dangerous for enterprise environments where sensitive business data is processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's intended functionality and potentially escalate privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can intercept and manipulate communications between users and the TRIRIGA application, potentially accessing confidential business information, modifying records, or even gaining administrative access to the system. The trusted session aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to operate within the application with the privileges and trust level of legitimate users, making detection significantly more difficult and the potential damage more severe.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM TRIRIGA versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policies to prevent JavaScript injection. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization at all entry points, applying proper HTML encoding to all user-controllable data before rendering, and implementing strict content security policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vendor has acknowledged this vulnerability and provided remediation measures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for credential access, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat it presents to enterprise security posture.