CVE-2022-22322 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2022
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 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: 218370.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2022
IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7 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 the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes user-supplied data through the web interface without adequate sanitization measures, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject malicious JavaScript code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user interacts with the web application and submits crafted input that gets reflected back to other users or stored within the application. This reflected or stored XSS allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within 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 the attack more insidious and difficult to detect. When successful, the malicious script can access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that the victim's browser has access to, potentially leading to complete credential compromise and unauthorized access to the Information Server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges within the trusted session. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code that could persist across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability affects the web-based administrative interface of IBM InfoSphere Information Server, which means that any user with access to this interface could be targeted, including both regular users and administrators who might have elevated privileges. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on the platform for data integration and information management services, as compromised sessions could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data repositories and business-critical information.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of the affected IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application to prevent malicious code injection. Security controls should enforce strict content security policies that restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code from running within the browser context. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious XSS attack patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Spearphishing Attachment, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures including user education, network monitoring, and application-level protections. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the information server ecosystem, ensuring that the overall security posture remains robust against evolving threats.