CVE-2023-42007 in Sterling Control Center
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2025
IBM Sterling Control Center 6.2.1, 6.3.1, and 6.4.0 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 • 07/18/2025
IBM Sterling Control Center versions 6.2.1, 6.3.1, and 6.4.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web interface, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious javascript code through crafted input fields or parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists within the control center's web UI where users interact with sensitive system controls and potentially privileged functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious javascript payloads that can execute within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted through the web interface. The attack vector typically involves users navigating to a maliciously crafted URL or submitting data containing javascript code that gets stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft and can enable more sophisticated attacks within the targeted environment. When successful, the XSS payload can hijack user sessions, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially gain elevated privileges within the Sterling Control Center system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, they can leverage the existing authentication state to perform actions that would normally require valid credentials. This creates a pathway for attackers to access sensitive system configurations, monitor user activities, or even modify system settings through the compromised interface. The attack can be executed through various means including malicious links sent via email, compromised web pages, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that allow initial code injection into the application's data handling processes.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding throughout the web application to prevent malicious javascript from being executed. This includes implementing strict content security policies that restrict script execution and sanitize all user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious javascript payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application's codebase. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including T1566 for social engineering and T1071 for application layer protocols, as attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the control center environment. Regular patch management procedures should be implemented to ensure all affected versions receive the necessary security updates from IBM to address this specific XSS weakness and prevent exploitation by threat actors.