CVE-2021-29804 in Tivoli Netcool
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2021
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus_GUI 8.1.0 is 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: 204262.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus_GUI version 8.1.0 contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this monitoring platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web user interface components, allowing malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript payloads that execute within the context of legitimate user sessions. This flaw specifically affects the GUI interface component of the broader Netcool/OMNIbus suite, which is commonly used for network monitoring and incident management across enterprise environments. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected into the system, it persists and executes automatically whenever affected pages are accessed by authenticated users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web interface. When users submit data through various GUI forms, configuration interfaces, or data entry points, the application does not adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as JavaScript code. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that are stored within the application's database or configuration files and subsequently executed whenever the affected content is rendered to users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interfaces where administrators and operators interact with the monitoring system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during routine administrative tasks or when viewing system alerts and reports. According to CWE-0000079, this represents a classic stored cross-site scripting flaw where the application fails to validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and credential theft within trusted network environments. When authenticated users browse to pages containing the stored malicious JavaScript, the code executes in their browser context with the same privileges as the legitimate user, potentially enabling attackers to capture session cookies, steal login credentials, or access sensitive monitoring data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Netcool/OMNIbus is typically deployed in mission-critical network monitoring scenarios where administrators have elevated privileges and access to sensitive infrastructure information. This vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent backdoors within the monitoring environment, allowing attackers to maintain access to the system while remaining undetected. The IBM X-Force ID 204262 associated with this vulnerability confirms its severity and the need for immediate remediation actions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious JavaScript payloads, and conducting thorough security assessments of all user-supplied data entry points within the application. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while comprehensive monitoring of user activities and system logs should be implemented to detect anomalous behavior. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing, and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and exfiltrate sensitive information. Regular security training for administrators and operators is essential to prevent social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, and organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication as an additional protective layer. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the vulnerability is completely resolved without introducing regressions in system functionality.