CVE-2017-1740 in Curam Social Program Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Curam Social Program Management 6.0.5, 6.1.1, 6.2.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 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: 134922.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1740 affects IBM Curam Social Program Management versions 6.0.5, 6.1.1, 6.2.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable parameters. The flaw specifically resides in the application's handling of user-supplied data within web requests, where the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which represents Cross-Site Scripting, a well-documented weakness that has been consistently ranked among the top security risks in the OWASP Top Ten project. This particular implementation flaw enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting script code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers, effectively bypassing traditional security controls that rely on user authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating a significant risk for credential theft and session hijacking within trusted environments. When authenticated users interact with the compromised application, malicious JavaScript code injected through the XSS vector can access and exfiltrate sensitive session cookies, authentication tokens, and potentially user credentials stored in the browser's memory. The vulnerability's exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which describes the use of credentials in web applications, and T1071.001, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system by stealing session identifiers and using them to impersonate legitimate users, potentially gaining access to sensitive social program management data, including personal information of beneficiaries, case management details, and administrative functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IBM Curam Social Program Management is designed for use in government and social services environments where sensitive personal data is routinely processed and managed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's web interface. Organizations should deploy comprehensive web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. The recommended remediation approach includes sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding, implementing strict output encoding for dynamic content, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user-supplied data into web pages. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing a comprehensive security testing program that includes regular penetration testing and automated vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in the application's codebase. The mitigation strategy should also incorporate user education and awareness training to help identify potential phishing attempts that might exploit this vulnerability, while establishing monitoring protocols to detect suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability, patch management processes should be prioritized to ensure immediate deployment of IBM's official security fixes and updates, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to data confidentiality and system integrity within social program management environments.