CVE-2020-4775 in Curam Social Program Management
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2020
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability may impact IBM Curam Social Program Management 7.0.9 and 7.0.10. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications for the purpose of running unwanted actions on the end user's device, restricted to a single location. IBM X-Force ID: 189153.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4775 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Curam Social Program Management versions 7.0.9 and 7.0.10. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications, creating a significant security risk for end users who interact with the affected system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web interface components of the social program management platform, allowing malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on user devices through browser-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Curam Social Program Management application. When users interact with the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This inadequate sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various input vectors including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data entry points. The XSS vulnerability is classified as a stored or reflected XSS depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application's database or session management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of the victim's browser session. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface application interfaces, or even escalate privileges within the application. The single-location restriction mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that the attack vector is limited to specific pages or functionalities within the application, but this does not diminish the severity of the impact on user security and data integrity. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited repeatedly by attackers targeting specific user groups or organizations using these particular versions of the software.
Organizations utilizing IBM Curam Social Program Management versions 7.0.9 and 7.0.10 face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it directly impacts the security of social program management workflows and user data protection. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that social program management systems typically handle sensitive personal information and social service data that requires strict confidentiality and integrity controls. From an enterprise security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, as attackers could use the XSS vulnerability to manipulate users into performing unintended actions. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1213 which addresses data from information repositories, as compromised applications could potentially expose sensitive social program data through unauthorized script execution. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates while implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls and enhanced input validation controls to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability should include applying the official IBM security patches released for versions 7.0.9 and 7.0.10 of Curam Social Program Management. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms, output encoding practices, and regular security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers working with the platform should emphasize the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding to prevent future XSS vulnerabilities in custom extensions or modifications to the software.