CVE-2024-38317 in Aspera Shares
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2025
IBM Aspera Shares 1.9.0 through 1.10.0 PL6 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows a privileged user 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 • 02/06/2025
IBM Aspera Shares versions 1.9.0 through 1.10.0 PL6 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk to organizations relying on this file transfer platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web user interface components of the application. The flaw enables a privileged user to inject malicious JavaScript code into the web interface, effectively compromising the integrity of the user session and potentially allowing for credential theft within trusted environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only a privileged user account to exploit, making it more accessible than many other XSS vulnerabilities that require external user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web UI components of IBM Aspera Shares. When a privileged user submits content that contains unescaped JavaScript code, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows the malicious script to execute within the victim's browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, login credentials, or other sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. The vulnerability enables a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to complete compromise of the Aspera Shares environment. An attacker with a privileged account can manipulate the web interface to redirect users to malicious sites, modify file transfer operations, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The attack follows the ATT&CK framework pattern of credential access and privilege escalation, where the initial foothold through XSS leads to more significant compromise. Organizations using these versions face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the file sharing platform, potentially disrupting business operations while providing attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive data transfers. The impact is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability exists within the web interface, making it accessible to users who may not have direct system access but possess administrative privileges.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to IBM Aspera Shares version 1.10.0 PL7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Until the upgrade is complete, administrators should implement strict input validation controls and output encoding measures within the web application. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect suspicious JavaScript injection attempts and unusual user behavior patterns. Access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary users have privileged access to the Aspera Shares interface. Additionally, security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about recognizing potential XSS attacks and the importance of maintaining secure session practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, aligning with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.