CVE-2022-32750 in DataPower Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
IBM DataPower Gateway 10.0.2.0 through 10.0.4.0, 10.0.1.0 through 10.0.1.8, 10.5.0.0, and 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.21 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: 228435.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-32750 affects IBM DataPower Gateway versions spanning multiple release branches including 10.0.2.0 through 10.0.4.0, 10.0.1.0 through 10.0.1.8, 10.5.0.0, and 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.21. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the web-based management interface. The flaw exists within the web user interface implementation where proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms have been inadequately applied, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable parameters.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaws in web applications. The vulnerability permits attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. When an authenticated user accesses a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised web elements, the injected JavaScript can capture user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive data transmitted within the trusted session. This particular implementation allows for persistent XSS attacks where malicious scripts can be stored and executed across multiple user sessions, making the impact significantly more severe than reflected in the initial vulnerability description.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security model of the DataPower Gateway management interface. Attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to the system, potentially enabling them to modify configuration settings, deploy malicious policies, or gain unauthorized access to protected network resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that DataPower Gateways typically operate in critical network infrastructure roles, managing security policies and serving as intermediaries for sensitive data flows. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple version branches, indicating a systemic issue in the codebase that requires comprehensive remediation across the affected product line.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the application of IBM's official security patches and updates as released through the IBM Security Center. Network segmentation and monitoring of web traffic to the DataPower management interfaces should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policies (CSP) and regular input validation checks can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically JavaScript, and represents a pathway for privilege escalation through session hijacking. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and to identify any potential variant exploitation methods that may emerge from this vulnerability class.