CVE-2018-15528 in Java System Solutions SSO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting exists in the Java System Solutions SSO plugin 4.0.13.1 for BMC MyIT. A remote attacker can abuse this issue to inject client-side scripts into the "select_sso()" function. The payload is triggered when the victim opens a prepared /ux/jss-sso/arslogin?[XSS] link and then clicks the "Login" button.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability resides within the Java System Solutions SSO plugin version 4.0.13.1 of BMC MyIT, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious client-side scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the select_sso() function where user input is inadequately sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through crafted URLs. The attack vector requires social engineering to trick victims into clicking specially prepared links that contain XSS payloads in the arslogin parameter, making this a classic example of a server-side vulnerability that manifests client-side.
The technical exploitation occurs when a victim navigates to a malicious URL containing the crafted payload and subsequently clicks the Login button, triggering the reflected script execution within the select_sso() function. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting flaw, where the application reflects user-supplied data back to the browser without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the BMC MyIT system, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the application context. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed entirely through web-based means, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where BMC MyIT is deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the BMC MyIT environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, manipulate application behavior, or redirect users to malicious sites for phishing attacks. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that each attack requires a separate crafted link, but this also makes detection more challenging as the malicious payloads are not stored on the server. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user sessions and sensitive data processed through the BMC MyIT platform.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization within the select_sso() function. The recommended mitigations include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, validating and sanitizing all user inputs before processing, and applying the latest security patches from BMC. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious patterns in URL parameters. Additionally, security awareness training for users can help prevent successful social engineering attacks that rely on tricking victims into clicking malicious links. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for Phishing and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for both technical and user-focused security measures to prevent exploitation.