CVE-2020-4856 in Engineering
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2021
IBM Engineering products are vulnerable to stored 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: 190459.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2021
IBM Engineering products contain a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web user interface components. This vulnerability exists within the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the application's database or storage systems. The flaw enables adversaries to manipulate the web interface in ways that can compromise user sessions and potentially exfiltrate sensitive authentication credentials. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data before it is rendered back to other users within the web application environment, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of web application input fields where user data is stored and subsequently displayed without proper security controls. When legitimate users interact with the application, the maliciously injected JavaScript code executes within their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, capturing keystrokes, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the injected code remains active even after the initial injection point, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect all users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic example of how weak input validation can lead to persistent security breaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to engineering environments where sensitive intellectual property, design specifications, and confidential project information reside. The potential for credential disclosure within trusted sessions creates a significant risk for organizations relying on IBM Engineering products for critical infrastructure development and manufacturing processes. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access restricted areas of the application, and potentially gain unauthorized access to downstream systems that may be connected to the engineering environment. The vulnerability's presence in engineering products particularly concerns organizations in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing where the integrity of design data and access controls are paramount for operational security.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected IBM Engineering product versions. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic patterns. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in related applications. Input validation controls should be strengthened to ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before storage, implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through web applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities to detect and respond to exploitation attempts.