CVE-2017-1563 in Doors Web Access
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Doors Web Access 9.5 and 9.6 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: 131763.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
IBM Doors Web Access version 9.5 and 9.6 contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security weakness in the application's web interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw exists in the web access component that processes user interactions and displays content within the browser environment, creating an opening for malicious actors to inject executable JavaScript code through crafted input fields or parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the web application's user interface by injecting malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' sessions. When a victim visits a page containing the injected script or when the application processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization, the malicious JavaScript code executes within the victim's browser. This execution context enables attackers to access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that the authenticated user has access to, potentially leading to full account compromise and unauthorized access to the Doors Web Access system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform actions within the application as if they were legitimate users. This includes accessing restricted documents, modifying data, and potentially escalating privileges within the system. The vulnerability particularly affects users who have administrative or privileged access to the Doors Web Access environment, making the potential damage significantly more severe. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access or conduct more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking or credential theft that could compromise the entire security posture of the application.
Organizations using IBM Doors Web Access should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding of all user-supplied data, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, and regular security updates to address the vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access, highlighting the potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized access. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and regular security assessments would help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications to prevent malicious code execution and maintain the integrity of user sessions.