CVE-2020-4935 in Datacap Fastdoc Capture
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2021
IBM Datacap Fastdoc Capture (IBM Datacap Navigator 9.1.7 ) 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: 191753.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2021
IBM Datacap Fastdoc Capture version 9.1.7 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this document capture solution. The vulnerability exists within the web user interface component of the application, specifically allowing authenticated users to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not properly sanitized. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of input data that enables attackers to execute scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a trusted session environment where users have legitimate access to the system, making it easier for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user crafts input containing JavaScript code that gets executed in the browser of another user who views the affected page. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, allowing attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data that might be accessible within the browser context. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, where an attacker can impersonate a legitimate user and perform actions with their privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices in the web application's codebase, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such injection attacks from occurring in the first place.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to organizations using IBM Datacap Navigator for document processing and capture operations. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects users who interact with the web interface, which is essential for normal operational workflows. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to monitor user activities, capture login credentials, or manipulate data within the application. The IBM X-Force ID 191753 associated with this vulnerability indicates that it has been recognized by the security community as a legitimate threat requiring immediate attention. Organizations using this version of the software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive documents, compromised user sessions, and potential data breaches that could affect compliance with regulatory requirements such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Datacap Navigator 9.1.7, implementing proper input validation and output encoding controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of all web applications. The mitigation strategy should also include network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable application, monitoring for suspicious user activities, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact if credentials are compromised. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten Project and the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which categorizes this type of vulnerability under the technique of "Command and Scripting Interpreter" with specific relevance to web application attacks. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper containment and remediation of the vulnerability.