CVE-2024-39735 in Datacap Navigator
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2024
IBM Datacap Navigator 9.1.5, 9.1.6, 9.1.7, 9.1.8, and 9.1.9 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: 296002.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
IBM Datacap Navigator versions 9.1.5 through 9.1.9 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this document capture and processing platform. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page content. The flaw exists within the web user interface of the application where authenticated users can inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not adequately validated or escaped. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has legitimate access to the system can leverage this weakness to compromise other users within the same trusted session. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input that gets rendered back to other users or the same user in a different context, potentially leading to credential theft, session hijacking, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework.
The operational impact of this cross-site scripting vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. When an authenticated user can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the application context, they can potentially access sensitive information that would normally be protected by the application's security model. This includes session tokens, user credentials, or confidential document data that might be accessible through the application's interface. The attack scenario typically involves a user with legitimate access injecting malicious code that can harvest session cookies or credentials from other users who interact with the compromised application interface. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to privilege escalation within the application, as attackers can manipulate the web interface to perform actions that would normally be restricted to higher-privileged users. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers leverage JavaScript execution capabilities to maintain persistence and escalate privileges. The impact is particularly severe because IBM Datacap Navigator is often used for processing sensitive business documents and contains potentially confidential information that organizations rely on for compliance and operational purposes.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Datacap Navigator versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-facing interfaces to prevent malicious script injection. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests that might contain XSS payloads. Additional protective measures include regular security scanning of the application environment to detect potential exploitation attempts, implementing strict access controls to limit the scope of potential damage, and conducting thorough security training for administrators to recognize signs of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing during application development and the need for continuous monitoring of security patches. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous JavaScript execution patterns within the application environment. The remediation process should include not only applying the official patches but also conducting comprehensive security assessments to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application or its dependencies. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of failing to address known security flaws in enterprise applications.