CVE-2019-4428 in Cloud Pak for Data
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Watson Assistant for IBM Cloud Pak for Data 1.0.0 through 1.3.0 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: 162807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4428 affects IBM Watson Assistant component within the IBM Cloud Pak for Data platform version 1.0.0 through 1.3.0. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the web-based user interface. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's web interface, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire system. The vulnerability specifically targets the web user interface components where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. This particular implementation allows attackers to manipulate the web interface in ways that can alter the intended functionality of the application. When a user interacts with the vulnerable system, the malicious JavaScript code becomes executable within the context of the authenticated session, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by adversaries who gain access to the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it can lead to credential disclosure within trusted sessions. This means that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive information, session tokens, or other authentication data that would normally be protected within the trusted application environment. The implications are particularly severe given that Watson Assistant is designed to handle sensitive data and business-critical information, making the exposure of credentials or session data potentially devastating to organizations using the platform.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation efforts should focus on upgrading to versions of IBM Watson Assistant that have addressed this vulnerability, as IBM has likely released patches or updates to resolve the cross-site scripting flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can help prevent malicious code from being executed within the web interface. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Cloud Pak for Data platform. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces where user input is not properly sanitized, making it a critical target for defensive measures and incident response protocols.