CVE-2018-1794 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 using OAuth ear 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: 148949.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability when utilizing OAuth enterprise archive deployments. This security flaw resides in the web user interface components that process and display user-supplied input without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects installations that implement OAuth authentication within enterprise archive applications, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the WebSphere Application Server's OAuth integration modules. When the server processes OAuth-related requests or displays OAuth-related information in the web interface, it fails to properly escape or sanitize user-controllable parameters that are subsequently rendered in HTML contexts. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript payloads through carefully crafted input fields, URL parameters, or session data that gets reflected back to the user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the web application. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that compromised credentials could be used to access sensitive enterprise resources without additional authentication barriers.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The attack pattern follows typical XSS methodologies documented in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.007 for script injection. The specific nature of the vulnerability in WebSphere Application Server's OAuth implementation creates a unique risk profile where the attack surface includes both the OAuth protocol handling and the web UI rendering components, making it particularly challenging to secure without comprehensive input validation measures.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including input validation at all entry points, proper output encoding for all web UI elements, and regular security assessments of OAuth implementations. The recommended mitigations include applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security testing of all web applications using OAuth authentication. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies and regularly monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.