CVE-2022-22443 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: 224440.
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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, which occurs when an application includes untrusted data in web pages without proper validation or encoding. The flaw specifically affects the web UI components that process user input, allowing malicious actors to inject JavaScript code that executes within the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application by leveraging the trust relationship between users and the server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data from authenticated users. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious JavaScript code through input fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data entry points within the information server interface. This allows for session hijacking and privilege escalation attacks where the malicious code can access data that would normally be restricted to authorized users. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within the trusted session context, making detection more difficult and increasing the potential for data compromise.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations using IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 face significant risk of unauthorized data access, especially in environments where sensitive business intelligence and information management data resides. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including social engineering attacks where users are tricked into clicking malicious links or through automated scanning tools that identify the XSS weakness. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the information server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system manipulation, or further lateral movement within the network. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core information server functionality, potentially disrupting business operations and compromising data integrity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent JavaScript injection in all user-controllable inputs. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, while also implementing additional security controls such as Content Security Policy headers and web application firewalls. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their information server deployments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire application portfolio. The mitigation strategy should also include user education and awareness programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure ongoing protection against this and similar cross-site scripting threats.