CVE-2024-41774 in Common Licensing
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2024
IBM Common Licensing 9.0 is vulnerable to stored 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. IBM X-Force ID: 350348.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41774 affects IBM Common Licensing version 9.0 and represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that enables malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code into the web interface. This vulnerability specifically targets the web user interface of the licensing system, creating a persistent threat that can affect all users who interact with the compromised application. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's handling of user-supplied data, allowing attackers to store malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only a privileged user account to exploit, meaning that an attacker with legitimate access can leverage their position to introduce malicious code that will persist across multiple user sessions.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs within the IBM Common Licensing web interface. When privileged users submit data through the application's forms or administrative interfaces, the system fails to properly validate and escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that are then stored in the application's database or configuration files. The injected code executes whenever other users access the affected pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can remain active for extended periods. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper validation of input data, and specifically relates to CWE-80 which addresses the failure to properly encode output data for web applications. The attack pattern follows the typical stored XSS methodology where malicious input is first stored by the application and then served to other users without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a significant risk for credential theft and session hijacking within trusted environments. When legitimate users access the compromised interface, their browsers execute the stored JavaScript code, potentially allowing attackers to capture session cookies, login credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted during user interactions. The privileged user requirement reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, as compromised accounts can provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive licensing data. This vulnerability can be exploited to conduct advanced persistent threats where attackers establish long-term access to the licensing infrastructure, potentially affecting software licensing compliance, audit trails, and overall system integrity. The threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers credential access through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, and T1071.001 which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and comprehensive user access controls. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, implementing strict input sanitization procedures for all user-supplied data, and ensuring proper output encoding before rendering any user-provided content in web interfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough access reviews to ensure that only necessary users possess privileged accounts, and implement monitoring systems to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, while network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of security awareness training for privileged users who may inadvertently introduce malicious code through social engineering or compromised credentials.