CVE-2023-42014 in Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2024
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition 6.0.0.0 through 6.2.0.2 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows an authenticated user 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: 265511.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2025
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition versions 6.0.0.0 through 6.2.0.2 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability resides within the application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious javascript code through web forms or parameters that are subsequently executed in the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. From an operational perspective this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the platform for business-to-business integrations, as successful exploitation could lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive business data. The attack vector requires an authenticated user, which reduces the initial attack surface but does not eliminate the threat since legitimate users with access rights can be tricked into executing malicious payloads.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, credentials, and other sensitive information from authenticated users. When an attacker successfully injects javascript code into the web interface, they can manipulate the user interface to redirect users to malicious sites, capture keystrokes, or extract confidential data from the application's session. The vulnerability's classification within the ATT&CK framework would align with T1531 - Establish Persistence and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could potentially use the compromised session to exfiltrate data or maintain persistent access to the system. The fact that this affects the standard edition of the software means that organizations without advanced security features are particularly vulnerable, as the basic input sanitization mechanisms are insufficient to prevent the injection attacks.
Organizations utilizing IBM Sterling B2B Integrator should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data within the web interface. The recommended approach involves implementing proper context-aware encoding for all dynamic content rendered in the browser, ensuring that any user input is treated as potentially malicious and properly escaped before display. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the application environment. IBM has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these fixes to their systems. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious activities within the application logs, particularly around user sessions and data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block potential XSS attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in enterprise integration platforms where sensitive business data is processed and transmitted between trading partners.