CVE-2017-1447 in Emptoris Sourcing
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Sourcing 9.5 - 10.1.3 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: 128172.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
IBM Emptoris Sourcing versions 9.5 through 10.1.3 contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk to organizations utilizing this procurement platform. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The flaw exists in the web user interface implementation where input validation mechanisms fail to adequately filter malicious content, allowing attackers to inject JavaScript code that executes within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a pathway for credential theft and session hijacking within trusted environments. When an attacker successfully injects malicious JavaScript through the vulnerable input fields, the code executes in the browser of any user who views the affected content, potentially capturing session cookies, login credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted within the trusted session. This represents a severe compromise of the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized access to procurement systems, supplier management capabilities, and sensitive business data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted session context, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to the full scope of the application's functionality.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various vectors including email injection, file upload forms, or any input field that accepts user-generated content within the Emptoris Sourcing interface. The attack typically involves crafting malicious payloads that exploit the XSS vulnerability to steal session tokens or redirect users to malicious sites designed to capture credentials. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1539 - Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets, where the stolen session information can be used to maintain persistent access to the application. The IBM X-Force ID 128172 further validates the severity of this finding and indicates that the vulnerability has been recognized by security researchers as a significant threat requiring immediate attention.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The most effective immediate mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the XSS flaw in the affected versions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns, while also conducting regular security assessments of the application to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of all user input fields, particularly those that accept text, file uploads, and URL parameters, to ensure that no other injection vectors remain unpatched. Regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and the importance of input validation should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles.