CVE-2020-4731 in Aspera Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Aspera Web Application 1.9.14 PL1 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: 188055.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
IBM Aspera Web Application version 1.9.14 PL1 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web interface component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web page context. The flaw specifically affects the web application's user interface handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through crafted input fields or parameters that are subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a persistent threat vector within trusted session environments. When authenticated users interact with the vulnerable web application, the injected JavaScript code can manipulate the browser's behavior to capture session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1539 - Steal Web Session Cookie, where adversaries leverage XSS vulnerabilities to obtain valid session tokens that can be used to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability particularly threatens the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms by enabling attackers to establish unauthorized access within the trusted session boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed through various attack vectors including direct input manipulation, URL parameter injection, or even through crafted file uploads that are displayed within the web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that leverage the application's failure to validate and sanitize user-supplied data, allowing them to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability's persistence across different user interactions makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional user interaction beyond the initial injection point.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script execution. Organizations should implement proper content security policies that restrict script execution within the application's web interface and ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser. The implementation of CSP headers, proper HTML encoding of dynamic content, and regular security testing of web application components can effectively prevent exploitation of this type of vulnerability. Additionally, applying the latest security patches provided by IBM and conducting regular security assessments of web applications will help maintain protection against similar cross-site scripting threats that could compromise user sessions and sensitive data.