CVE-2018-1933 in Planning Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Planning Analytics 2.0 through 2.0.6 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: 153177.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2023
IBM Planning Analytics version 2.0 through 2.0.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web framework, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can execute within the context of a legitimate user's session. The vulnerability specifically affects the web user interface components that handle dynamic content rendering, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, and user-generated content fields.
The operational impact of this cross-site scripting vulnerability extends beyond simple functionality alteration to potentially enable credential theft and session hijacking attacks. When a malicious user successfully injects JavaScript code, the payload can execute within the victim's browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, login credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted between the user and the application server. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require proper input validation and output encoding. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IBM Planning Analytics is designed for enterprise use where users may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive business planning data. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to any user account within the system, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and modification.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns that align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for JavaScript-based attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system by creating malicious links or embedding payloads in user interface elements that other users might interact with. The IBM X-Force ID 153177 indicates that this vulnerability was recognized and tracked by IBM's security team, highlighting the severity of the flaw. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Planning Analytics face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, particularly in environments where the application handles sensitive financial or operational planning data. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple versions within the 2.0.x release series, indicating a widespread issue that requires immediate remediation across affected deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by IBM to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering suspicious JavaScript payloads before they reach the application server. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level to ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized and encoded before being rendered in the browser. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security posture of the system.