CVE-2023-22860 in Cloud Pak for Business Automation
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation 18.0.0, 18.0.1, 18.0.2, 19.0.1, 19.0.2, 19.0.3, 20.0.1, 20.0.2, 20.0.3, 21.0.1, 21.0.2, 21.0.3, 22.0.1, and 22.0.2 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: 244100.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22860 affects IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation versions spanning multiple releases from 18.0.0 through 22.0.2. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the web interface of the application. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web UI, creating an environment where persistent malicious scripts can be executed against unsuspecting users who interact with the affected system. The flaw specifically impacts the application's handling of user input within web forms or data entry points that are subsequently displayed to other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation web application. When legitimate users enter data that contains script tags or other malicious code, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before storing it in the backend database or rendering it in subsequent web page responses. This allows the malicious code to be stored persistently and executed whenever other users view the affected content, creating a classic stored XSS attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted session context of the application, meaning that any credentials or sensitive information accessed by the victim during the execution of the malicious script could be potentially compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display manipulation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information from authenticated users who interact with the compromised application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected, it remains active and executable for all users who encounter the affected content, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the system. This threat is particularly severe in business automation environments where sensitive operational data, business processes, and user credentials are routinely handled. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges, access confidential business information, or manipulate business processes through the compromised application interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent malicious script injection, regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, and user education regarding the risks of interacting with untrusted content within the application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures. IBM has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability in affected versions, and organizations should prioritize applying these security updates to prevent exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular penetration testing should be implemented as part of a layered security approach to protect against similar threats and reduce the attack surface of business automation systems.