CVE-2017-1683 in Connections Engagement Center
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Connections Engagement Center 6.0 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: 134005.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1683 affects IBM Connections Engagement Center version 6.0 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a reflected XSS attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists within the application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed and displayed within the Engagement Center's web UI without adequate sanitization. When legitimate users view pages containing this malicious content, their browsers execute the embedded JavaScript code within the context of their active session. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application and potentially access sensitive information, including session cookies and authentication tokens that could lead to unauthorized access and credential disclosure within a trusted session. The vulnerability particularly impacts the application's user interaction components where content submission and display mechanisms are implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display manipulation, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking and privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal user credentials, modify user permissions, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users within the trusted network environment. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to maintain persistent access to the system. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it enables unauthorized access to user accounts and session management functions.
Organizations utilizing IBM Connections Engagement Center 6.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent malicious script injection, along with regular security updates and patches from IBM. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of all user input fields and content management components to ensure proper sanitization of data before rendering in the web interface. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and content security policies to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be enhanced to prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and follow the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify potential additional attack vectors that may exist within the application's architecture.