CVE-2019-4569 in Tivoli Netcool Impact
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.0.16 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: 166719.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact version 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.0.16 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk to organizations relying on this network monitoring and incident management platform. This vulnerability resides within the web user interface component of the software, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's response. The flaw specifically affects the web-based administrative and monitoring interfaces that are commonly used by system administrators and security personnel to manage network incidents and monitor system health. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic cross-site scripting weakness that can be leveraged for session hijacking and credential theft.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users interact with maliciously crafted input that gets reflected back to other users within the web interface. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests or input parameters that, when processed by the application, result in the execution of malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser session. This allows threat actors to manipulate the intended functionality of the application, potentially enabling them to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information from users who are authenticated to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that attackers can leverage existing authenticated sessions to perform actions that would normally require legitimate user credentials. The attack can be executed through various vectors including email links, malicious web pages, or by manipulating input fields in the application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring operations. Organizations using IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact may find their security monitoring capabilities undermined when attackers exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to incident data, modify monitoring configurations, or redirect traffic through malicious endpoints. The exposure of session tokens and credentials through XSS attacks can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to assume administrative privileges and potentially access other systems within the network infrastructure that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on centralized monitoring solutions, as the compromise of a single monitoring interface can provide attackers with visibility into network operations and incident response activities. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is further complicated by the fact that it affects multiple versions within the 7.1.0.x release series, indicating a persistent flaw in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including applying the latest security patches provided by IBM, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and conducting thorough security assessments of the web interface components. Network segmentation and monitoring of web traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while security awareness training for administrators can reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The implementation of content security policies and proper session management practices can further reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of successful XSS exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against known attack patterns and maintain comprehensive monitoring of authentication and session management activities to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in enterprise monitoring and management platforms, particularly those handling sensitive operational data and credentials within trusted network environments.