CVE-2017-1767 in Business Process Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Business Process Manager 8.6 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: 136152.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
IBM Business Process Manager version 8.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's web interface. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers, effectively bypassing the application's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to session hijacking and credential disclosure within trusted sessions. When authenticated users interact with the vulnerable application, their browser sessions become compromised, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive business process data and operational information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, making detection more challenging. Attackers can craft payloads that appear legitimate to users while simultaneously executing malicious code that captures session tokens or credentials. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1539 which focuses on credentials theft through legitimate access and session manipulation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be achieved through standard web application penetration testing methods. Attackers typically need only to submit malicious input through web forms or URL parameters that are then reflected back to the user without proper sanitization. The vulnerability affects the web UI components that handle user input and display dynamic content, making it particularly prevalent in business process management interfaces where users frequently enter data and interact with process flows. IBM Business Process Manager's architecture includes multiple entry points where user input is processed and rendered, creating numerous potential attack vectors for malicious script injection.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding to prevent script injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. Security patches released by IBM should be applied immediately to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and monitor for suspicious activities within their business process management environments. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the business process management infrastructure.