CVE-2020-4541 in Jazz Reporting Service
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Jazz Reporting Service 7.0 and 7.0.1 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: 183039.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4541 affects IBM Jazz Reporting Service versions 7.0 and 7.0.1, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as reflected XSS where malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser through improperly sanitized input. The flaw exists in the reporting service's web application framework, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can manipulate the user interface and potentially compromise user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input within the web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the reporting service, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted requests containing malicious script code that gets rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. When authenticated users interact with the compromised reporting service, their sessions become vulnerable to manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies or credentials that could be used to gain deeper access to the IBM Jazz environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that any malicious code executed can access the same privileges and permissions as legitimate users.
Organizations utilizing IBM Jazz Reporting Service versions 7.0 and 7.0.1 should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application to prevent script injection. Security measures should also incorporate content security policies to restrict script execution and monitor for suspicious user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the IBM Jazz ecosystem. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web-based scripting environments to achieve unauthorized access and data exfiltration.