CVE-2020-4679 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2020
IBM Security Guardium 11.2 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: 186424.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
IBM Security Guardium version 11.2 contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk to organizations relying on this database security platform. This vulnerability exists within the web user interface component of the software, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the web interface, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information within the trusted environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web application's handling of user-supplied data. When users interact with the Guardium web UI, improperly sanitized parameters or input fields can be exploited to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' sessions. This cross-site scripting flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where malicious code persists in the application's data storage and executes whenever affected pages are rendered. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the privileged nature of Guardium's functionality, which provides access to critical database security information and administrative controls.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it creates a pathway for credential theft and session hijacking within the trusted network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, gain access to administrative functions, or extract sensitive database security information that Guardium is designed to protect. The IBM X-Force ID 186424 associated with this vulnerability indicates the severity and recognition within the security community, as the flaw allows for persistent malicious code execution that could remain undetected for extended periods. Organizations using Guardium 11.2 face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that leverage this vulnerability to maintain long-term access to their database security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through official IBM security patches and updates that address the input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also conducting thorough security assessments of all web applications within their environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers may use the XSS vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads that further compromise the system. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies, regular security scanning of web applications, and ensuring that all users operate with the principle of least privilege. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls specifically configured to detect and block cross-site scripting attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities to identify any exploitation attempts against the vulnerable Guardium installation.