CVE-2018-1772 in SPSS Analytic Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM SPSS Analytic Server 3.1.1.1 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: 148689.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
IBM SPSS Analytic Server version 3.1.1.1 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before rendering it in the web interface. The flaw specifically affects the web UI components that handle user-supplied data, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not adequately filtered or escaped. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper input validation mechanisms or output encoding when processing data that will be displayed to users within the browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted within the context of enterprise analytics environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS flaw can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive analytical data. The vulnerability particularly threatens users who have administrative privileges or access to confidential datasets, as the injected JavaScript can capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This represents a significant risk in environments where SPSS Analytic Server is used for business intelligence, statistical analysis, and data mining operations involving sensitive corporate or research data.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input that gets reflected back to the user's browser, enabling them to steal authentication tokens, modify application behavior, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that the malicious code executes with the privileges of the authenticated user. This creates opportunities for attackers to access restricted analytical reports, manipulate data processing workflows, or gain unauthorized access to underlying data sources that the legitimate user has permissions to access. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially compromising the integrity of analytical processes and decision-making systems that rely on SPSS Analytic Server.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web-based applications within the enterprise environment, as this flaw represents a common security weakness that affects numerous enterprise analytics platforms and business intelligence systems.