CVE-2017-1591 in WebSphere DataPower
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere DataPower Appliances 7.0.0 through 7.6 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
IBM WebSphere DataPower Appliances contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions 7.0.0 through 7.6, representing a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where malicious actors can inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists in the appliance's web user interface where input validation is insufficient, allowing attackers to submit malicious JavaScript code through various input fields that are then executed in the context of other users' sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the DataPower appliance interface. When a victim user accesses a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised interface elements, the embedded JavaScript code executes within their browser session, potentially compromising the trust relationship between the user and the appliance. This vulnerability specifically targets the web management console where administrators and users interact with the appliance configuration, making it a prime target for credential theft and session hijacking attacks.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input that gets reflected back to users in the web interface, allowing them to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated sessions. The implications extend beyond simple script execution as the vulnerability can be leveraged to steal session cookies, credentials, or perform unauthorized administrative actions on behalf of legitimate users. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, where the XSS vulnerability serves as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation.
Organizations using affected DataPower appliances should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data in web interfaces. The recommended approach involves implementing strict content security policies, sanitizing all input fields, and ensuring proper encoding of output data to prevent script execution. IBM has released patches and updates for this vulnerability, and administrators should apply these immediately to remediate the risk. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of web traffic can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious web interactions remains crucial for overall security posture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web application development practices and proper input validation mechanisms in enterprise security infrastructure components.