CVE-2019-4451 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0 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: 163493.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2024
IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.0.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web user interface component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's web interface. The flaw specifically affects the web-based administration and user interfaces, creating an attack surface where untrusted input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a trusted session, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire identity management infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users interact with web pages that do not adequately validate or escape user-supplied input. When malicious JavaScript code is embedded into form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable input areas, it gets executed within the browser context of legitimate users who visit affected pages. This cross-site scripting condition enables attackers to manipulate the web application's behavior and potentially access sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data from authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to escalate privileges and access critical identity management functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to capture authentication tokens, modify user permissions, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted input that, when processed by the application, gets rendered back to users in a way that executes malicious code. This could occur through various means including email injection, form submissions, or URL manipulation. The IBM X-Force ID 163493 confirms the severity and tracking of this particular vulnerability within the security community.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policies to prevent script injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user inputs and ensuring that any data rendered to web interfaces is properly escaped to prevent JavaScript execution. Security patches provided by IBM should be applied promptly to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about recognizing and avoiding potentially malicious web content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional security controls that can detect and block cross-site scripting attempts in real-time. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in enterprise security applications.