CVE-2018-1676 in Planning Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Planning Analytics 2.0.0 through 2.0.4 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: 145118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
IBM Planning Analytics versions 2.0.0 through 2.0.4 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web interface implementation. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web interface, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's user interface. The vulnerability exists in the web user interface components where user-supplied data is not adequately validated or escaped before being displayed to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application. When a malicious user crafts a payload containing JavaScript code and submits it through the vulnerable input fields, the application renders this code within the web interface of other users who view the affected content. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can execute scripts in the context of authenticated sessions, potentially compromising the security of trusted sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the web UI components where user data is processed and displayed, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive planning and analytics data is handled.
The security implications are severe as this vulnerability can lead to credential disclosure within trusted sessions, representing a direct threat to authentication integrity. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to steal session cookies, capture user credentials, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The IBM X-Force ID 145118 confirms the severity and recognition of this vulnerability within the security community, indicating that it represents a significant risk to organizations using these versions of IBM Planning Analytics. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Scripting, specifically targeting web application interfaces for code injection attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data within the web interface components. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping and sanitization mechanisms to prevent JavaScript code execution in the user interface context. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application. The most effective long-term solution requires updating to IBM Planning Analytics versions that have addressed this vulnerability through proper code review and input validation implementations. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any additional XSS vulnerabilities in related web components and ensure that all user input processing follows secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines.