CVE-2017-1521 in Tivoli Endpoint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager (for Lifecycle/Power/Patch) Platform and Applications (IBM BigFix Platform 9.2 and 9.5) 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: 129831.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1521 affects IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager, specifically the IBM BigFix Platform versions 9.2 and 9.5, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of the web-based management interface. This vulnerability exists within the platform's web user interface where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The affected platform serves as a comprehensive endpoint management solution that organizations rely upon for lifecycle management, power management, and patch deployment operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical implementation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's rendering engine. When legitimate users interact with the platform's web interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter user-controllable data before displaying it in the browser context. This allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript payloads through various input fields or parameters that are processed by the application. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted during the user's interaction with the platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and credential theft within trusted network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the management platform by stealing session tokens or capturing login credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized administrative control over endpoint management operations. This compromise undermines the fundamental security model of the platform, which relies on trusted sessions and authenticated access to perform critical system management functions. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on the platform for managing large-scale endpoint deployments, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate patch deployment schedules, modify endpoint configurations, or gain visibility into sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation actions and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations must prioritize applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the cross-site scripting vulnerability within the IBM BigFix Platform. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, output encoding, and content security policies can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through web application exploitation and session hijacking, demonstrating how initial access through a web-based vulnerability can escalate to full administrative control over endpoint management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their IT infrastructure.