CVE-2016-9747 in RELM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM RELM 4.0, 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2020
IBM RELM versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw 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 application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute within the context of legitimate user sessions.
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, when processed and displayed by the vulnerable web interface, executes unintended JavaScript code in the victim's browser. This particular vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS attack since the malicious scripts are stored on the server and executed whenever the affected web pages are accessed by other users. The attack vector typically involves injecting malicious payloads through forms, URL parameters, or other input mechanisms that are not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in the user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions and potentially gain access to sensitive credentials within trusted sessions. When users interact with the compromised web interface, their browser sessions become vulnerable to manipulation, allowing attackers to steal session cookies, capture login credentials, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This session hijacking capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise, especially when users have elevated access rights within the IBM RELM environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can remain active and continue to exploit users until the vulnerability is patched or the affected components are properly secured.
Organizations utilizing IBM RELM versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injections, implementing proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied data, and conducting thorough security testing of all web interfaces. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing session management controls that can detect and terminate suspicious activities, as well as establishing regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors while ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of user data within trusted environments.