CVE-2018-1502 in Content Manager Enterprise Edition Resource Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Content Manager Enterprise Edition Resource Manager 8.4.3 and 9.5 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: 141338.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1502 affects IBM Content Manager Enterprise Edition Resource Manager versions 8.4.3 and 9.5, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a persistent security weakness in web applications where user-supplied data is improperly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw specifically resides in the web user interface component that processes user input without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users can inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters within the Resource Manager interface. This injection allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within a trusted session environment, meaning that attackers can leverage legitimate user permissions to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious payloads that are submitted through web forms or URL parameters, which are then reflected back to other users or stored within the application's database.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain elevated privileges within the Content Manager environment. The Resource Manager component handles critical content management functions including document storage, access control, and workflow processes, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise enterprise content repositories. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive documents, modification of content management policies, and potential data exfiltration. The attack can be executed by any authenticated user with sufficient privileges to interact with the web interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent JavaScript injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface, utilizing proper context-aware encoding techniques for different data types. Security patches provided by IBM should be applied immediately, as they contain fixes for the underlying validation flaws in the Resource Manager component. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious traffic, while establishing strict access controls and monitoring procedures to detect anomalous user behavior. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Content Manager suite. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use JavaScript injection to execute malicious code within browser contexts.