CVE-2018-1554 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: 142891.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1554 affects IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input and output rendering processes, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject JavaScript code into the web application's response. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, thereby enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious JavaScript code into input fields or parameters that are subsequently rendered in the web interface without adequate sanitization. When a victim interacts with the compromised application, the embedded script executes within the context of their authenticated session, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive information, steal session cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious payloads that leverage the application's trust relationship with users, allowing the injected code to operate with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the Maximo environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access confidential asset management data, modify critical business processes, and gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational information. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that rely on Maximo for critical asset management functions, as it could enable attackers to manipulate maintenance schedules, asset configurations, or financial data within the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of the threat.
Organizations utilizing IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs and proper HTML encoding of dynamic content before rendering in the web interface. Security patches provided by IBM should be deployed immediately to address the underlying vulnerability, as the company has released updates specifically designed to remediate this cross-site scripting flaw. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about recognizing potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.