CVE-2019-4725 in Security Access Manager Appliance
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2020
IBM Security Access Manager Appliance 9.0 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: 172131.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4725 affects IBM Security Access Manager Appliance version 9.0 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific nature of this flaw allows authenticated users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code within the appliance's web interface, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web UI components of the IBM Security Access Manager Appliance. When legitimate users interact with the interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be executed in the context of a trusted session, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire appliance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted session context, meaning that any credentials or sensitive information processed within that session could be exposed to the attacker.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-4725 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a pathway for credential disclosure and session hijacking attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, access sensitive administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the appliance's web UI, which is typically accessible to users who have legitimate access to the system. This creates a scenario where a compromised user account could be leveraged to execute more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The IBM X-Force ID 172131 associated with this vulnerability indicates the severity and recognition of the threat within the security community.
From a defensive perspective, organizations must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates. The remediation strategy should also incorporate enhanced input validation mechanisms, output encoding, and regular security assessments of the web interface components. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of recognizing and reporting suspicious activities within the appliance's web interface, as this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering or privilege escalation attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, specifically focusing on JavaScript-based attacks that leverage web application vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and exfiltrate sensitive information from trusted sessions.