CVE-2018-1415 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 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. IBM X-Force ID: 138821.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web interface component of this enterprise asset management solution. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where web applications fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The flaw exists in the web user interface layer where malicious actors can inject JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a trusted session, potentially allowing for credential theft, session hijacking, or data exfiltration from authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based interface of Maximo Asset Management, making it accessible to attackers who can leverage this weakness through standard web browser interactions without requiring special privileges or access to backend systems. This represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where Maximo is used for critical asset management and maintenance operations.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input that gets stored or reflected in the web application's response, subsequently executing JavaScript code in the victim's browser. The IBM X-Force ID 138821 references this specific weakness and indicates the severity level associated with the vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Maximo Asset Management systems often contain sensitive operational data, maintenance records, and business-critical information. Organizations using this software face potential exposure to unauthorized access, data breaches, and privilege escalation attacks that could compromise their entire asset management infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that should be implemented according to established security standards and best practices.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent JavaScript code execution in user-supplied content. The recommended approach involves implementing strict content security policies, employing proper HTML escaping mechanisms, and ensuring all user input is validated against whitelisted character sets. Security patches provided by IBM should be applied promptly to address this vulnerability, as the exposure window increases the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring controls should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining robust web application security practices and following the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks in enterprise applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Maximo ecosystem and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.