CVE-2020-4513 in QRadar SIEM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3 and 7.4 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: 182368.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2020
IBM QRadar SIEM version 7.3 and 7.4 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw exists in the web application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered back to the browser without proper sanitization, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper input validation in the web interface components. When legitimate users interact with the vulnerable application, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript code, potentially compromising the integrity of the application's functionality and user sessions. This vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface of QRadar SIEM, which is commonly accessed by security administrators and analysts who may have elevated privileges within the system. The XSS attack vector allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and extract sensitive information. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, access sensitive data, or modify application functionality to redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where QRadar SIEM is used for security monitoring and incident response, as compromised sessions could provide attackers with access to critical security information and the ability to manipulate security events and alerts. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing, as the vulnerability could be exploited through social engineering to deliver malicious payloads.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies, disabling unnecessary user input fields, and conducting regular security assessments of the web interface components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in security information and event management systems. Regular monitoring of security advisories and maintaining updated threat intelligence is essential for organizations using IBM QRadar SIEM to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.