CVE-2019-4238 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7 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: 159464.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. 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 in web pages, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through web forms, URL parameters, or other input vectors. The vulnerability exists in the web UI components that handle user-supplied data without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. When a user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised application functionality, the injected script can manipulate the web page behavior and potentially access sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically allows for credential disclosure within trusted sessions, meaning that an attacker could capture authentication tokens, session cookies, or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by the browser's same-origin policy. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where InfoSphere Information Server handles sensitive business data and user credentials.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for account access. Attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to the information server, potentially compromising the entire data ecosystem. The vulnerability affects the web-based management console and user interfaces, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who regularly interact with these components. The IBM X-Force ID 159464 indicates this vulnerability was recognized by IBM's security team and likely addressed through patching procedures. Organizations using these versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation while awaiting official patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of user-facing interfaces in enterprise information management systems.
This vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences in enterprise applications. The cross-site scripting flaw allows attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute malicious code within the context of legitimate user sessions. The potential for credential theft and session hijacking makes this particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data and administrative privileges are common. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as content security policies, proper input validation frameworks, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of their information infrastructure. The remediation process should involve not only applying the vendor patches but also conducting thorough security reviews of all web interfaces to identify and address similar weaknesses in the application architecture.