CVE-2018-1667 in DataPower Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DataPower Gateway 7.6.0.0 through 7.6.0.10, 7.5.2.0 through 7.5.2.17, 7.5.1.0 through 7.5.1.17, 7.5.0.0 through 7.5.0.18, and 7.7.0.0 through 7.7.1.3 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: 144893.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1667 affects IBM DataPower Gateway versions across multiple release streams including 7.6.0.0 through 7.6.0.10, 7.5.2.0 through 7.5.2.17, 7.5.1.0 through 7.5.1.17, 7.5.0.0 through 7.5.0.18, and 7.7.0.0 through 7.7.1.3. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the web-based management interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the DataPower Gateway's web user interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code through specially crafted input fields or parameters that are then executed within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browser of authenticated users. This particular implementation vulnerability affects the web UI components of DataPower Gateway, where user inputs are not adequately validated or escaped before being displayed back to users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as the vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the web interface, potentially leading to session hijacking and credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to leverage authenticated sessions to perform actions that would normally be restricted to legitimate users. When an authenticated user accesses the vulnerable DataPower Gateway web interface, the injected JavaScript code executes within their browser context, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, capture credentials, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Use of Web Shell" and T1566 which covers "Phishing for Information", as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access or harvest sensitive information from trusted sessions. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely on DataPower Gateway for API management, security policy enforcement, and integration services where administrative access to the web interface is frequently required.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by IBM to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the DataPower Gateway web interface to trusted networks only. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including web application firewalls and proxy configurations to detect and block suspicious script injections. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and systems. Additionally, monitoring for unusual web interface access patterns and script execution attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, reinforcing industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines for secure software development practices.