CVE-2017-1445 in Emptoris Spend Analysis
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Spend Analysis 9.5.0.0 through 10.1.1 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: 128170.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
IBM Emptoris Spend Analysis versions 9.5.0.0 through 10.1.1 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk to organizations utilizing this spend management platform. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw exists within the web user interface where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and the data it processes. When users interact with the spend analysis platform, malicious input can be submitted through various interface elements that do not properly validate or escape user-provided data. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited to manipulate the application's intended behavior and potentially access sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically targets the web UI components where user inputs are directly reflected without adequate security controls, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where financial data and user credentials are handled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to credential disclosure within trusted sessions, representing a severe compromise of user authentication mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, capture login credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive financial data within the spend analysis system. The implications are particularly concerning given that the affected platform handles enterprise spend management data, which often includes confidential procurement information, vendor details, and financial transactions. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious links, or compromised web pages that redirect users to the vulnerable application interface.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest IBM Emptoris Spend Analysis versions that address the XSS flaw. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious code injection, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines. Additionally, implementing content security policies and proper session management controls can significantly reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of successful XSS exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation can help limit lateral movement if an attacker successfully compromises a user session. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of enterprise applications to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by threat actors.