CVE-2017-1147 in OpenPages GRC Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 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: 122200.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1147 affects IBM OpenPages GRC Platform versions 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the platform's web interface security. This vulnerability resides in the platform's handling of user input within the graphical user interface, where insufficient validation and sanitization of data allows malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into web pages. The flaw specifically impacts the platform's web UI components, creating an attack surface where user-supplied content is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in browser contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the OpenPages platform's web application framework. When users submit data through various web forms or interface elements, the system fails to adequately sanitize the input before processing or displaying it within the user interface. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting condition where attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, or any user-controllable input field within the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables sophisticated attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to credential theft. When an attacker successfully injects malicious JavaScript into the platform, the code executes within the browser context of legitimate users who are authenticated to the system. This session hijacking capability allows attackers to access sensitive information, modify data, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations relying on OpenPages for governance, risk, and compliance management, where the exposure of credentials could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication and can be automated using existing web exploitation frameworks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms, web application firewalls, and regular security updates to address the identified vulnerability. The IBM security advisory recommends upgrading to patched versions of the OpenPages platform and implementing proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution within the web interface.