CVE-2017-1331 in Content Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Content Navigator 2.0.3 and 3.0.0 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: 126233.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
IBM Content Navigator versions 2.0.3 and 3.0.0 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 input fields or parameters. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a weakness in the input validation and output encoding controls of web applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the victim's browser when the affected web interface processes the tainted input. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within the trusted session context of authenticated users, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information that would otherwise be protected by the application's security mechanisms. This represents a significant compromise of the application's integrity and confidentiality controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and potential lateral movement within the organization's network infrastructure. When an authenticated user interacts with the compromised application, their browser executes the injected JavaScript code, which can then access the user's session tokens and other sensitive data. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Account Access Through Persistence, as it provides a means for attackers to maintain access to user sessions and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by undermining the trust model that should exist between the user and the application, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable version is deployed.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper input validation and output encoding controls, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a critical risk necessitates immediate remediation efforts, as the potential for credential disclosure and session hijacking makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any additional vectors that may have been exploited through this vulnerability and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous user behavior that might indicate successful exploitation attempts.