CVE-2021-20365 in Cloud Pak for Applications
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3 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: 195036.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2021
IBM Cloud Pak for Applications version 4.3 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious actors can inject client-side scripts into web applications that are then executed by other users. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within the web interface, allowing attackers to embed arbitrary JavaScript code that can manipulate the intended functionality of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a trusted session. When legitimate users interact with the compromised application, their browsers will execute the injected JavaScript code, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information including user credentials, session tokens, and other confidential data. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, making it particularly dangerous as victims may not realize they are being exploited.
The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious links, compromised user accounts, or social engineering tactics. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that will execute when other users browse to affected pages, potentially capturing session cookies or redirecting users to phishing sites. This form of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks and T1071 which addresses application layer protocol usage. The IBM X-Force ID 195036 confirms the severity and provides additional context for security professionals to assess the risk.
Organizations using IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding to prevent script injection attacks. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface, implementing proper content security policies, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user data into HTML or JavaScript contexts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address the vulnerability at the source, while application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection. Security awareness training for administrators and users can help identify potential social engineering attempts that may exploit this vulnerability.