CVE-2018-1584 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: 143497.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web user interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users' sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly encode or escape user input before displaying it in web interfaces. When users submit data through various forms or input fields within the Maximo Asset Management platform, the system does not adequately sanitize this data before rendering it in HTML contexts. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the web browser, execute unintended JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components where user data is displayed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, or any user-controllable input field.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and credential theft within trusted user sessions. When authenticated users interact with the vulnerable application, attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to steal session cookies, access sensitive data, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Maximo Asset Management for critical asset management operations, as compromised sessions could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive asset data, modification of critical maintenance records, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on the web interface for daily operations, as it undermines the trust model that should exist between users and the application.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policy implementation. The recommended mitigation strategies include deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied data, and ensuring proper output encoding of all dynamic content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies that prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and regularly audit application code for similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to serious security consequences. The attack surface for this vulnerability can be reduced by implementing proper secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.