CVE-2022-22435 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE • 04/21/2022
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.1.2 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2022
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6.1.2 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 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed payloads that get executed in the context of other users' sessions, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and the data it handles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the Maximo application. When users interact with the vulnerable web interface, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript code, which can capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly threatens the confidentiality and integrity of user credentials, as attackers can leverage the trusted session context to extract sensitive authentication tokens and potentially escalate privileges within the Maximo environment. This weakness undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The exploitation of CVE-2022-22435 requires minimal technical sophistication but can yield significant consequences for organizations relying on IBM Maximo for asset management operations. Attackers typically need only to identify input fields or parameters within the web interface that are susceptible to XSS injection, then craft malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability affects the application's web user interface components where user-supplied data is rendered without adequate sanitization, creating persistent XSS opportunities. Organizations using this version of Maximo face elevated risk of credential theft, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting comprehensive security testing of all web interfaces. Additionally, organizations should implement proper session management practices, including secure cookie attributes and regular session token rotation. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate XSS attacks. Regular security awareness training for administrators and users can also help identify and prevent social engineering attempts that might leverage this vulnerability.