CVE-2017-1189 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Portal and Web Content Manager 6.1, 7.0, and 8.0 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. IBM X-Force ID: 123558.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1189 affects IBM WebSphere Portal and Web Content Manager versions 6.1, 7.0, and 8.0, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise web applications. This vulnerability resides within the web user interface components where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages that are subsequently executed by other users who access the affected portal or content management system. Such an attack vector fundamentally compromises the integrity of the web application and creates opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive information within trusted sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied content containing malicious scripts is processed and displayed within the web interface without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. When a victim interacts with a page containing the malicious script, the JavaScript code executes within their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack typically involves crafting malicious input that gets stored and subsequently rendered in the web interface, creating a persistent XSS vulnerability that can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the WebSphere Portal environment. Attackers can leverage the stored XSS to capture authentication tokens, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate within the trusted portal environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on WebSphere Portal for business-critical applications, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data and functionality. The threat is particularly concerning because the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a widespread exposure across various enterprise deployments and potentially affecting numerous organizations that have not yet applied the necessary security patches.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patching of affected systems, deployment of web application firewalls, and enhanced input validation mechanisms. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security fixes and implementing proper output encoding for all user-supplied content. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and implement robust monitoring for suspicious activities within their portal environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Account Access Removal" and T1071.004 for "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" when attackers attempt to establish persistence or exfiltrate data through the compromised portal infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is fully resolved while maintaining application functionality and user experience.