IBM Spectrum Scale CVE-2019-4665 Cross Site Scripting Vulnerability

Description

IBM Spectrum Scale is prone to a cross-site scripting vulnerability. An attacker may leverage this issue to execute arbitrary script code in the browser of an unsuspecting user in the context of the affected site. This may allow the attacker to steal cookie-based authentication credentials and launch other attacks. IBM Spectrum Scale versions 4.2.0.0 through 4.2.3.18 and 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.0 are vulnerable.

Technologies Affected

• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.0
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.1
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.2
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.3
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.4
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.1.1
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.1.2
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.2.0
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.2.1
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.2.3
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.10
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.11
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.12
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.13
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.18
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.4
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.8
• IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2.3.9
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0.2
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.1
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.1.2
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.2.0
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.2.1
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.2.3
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.3.0
• IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.4.0

Recommendations

Block external access at the network boundary, unless external parties require service.
Filter access to the affected computer at the network boundary if global access isn’t needed. Restricting access to only trusted computers and networks might greatly reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
Attackers may successfully exploit client flaws in the browser through cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. When possible, run all software as a user with minimal privileges and limited access to system resources. Use additional precautions such as restrictive environments to insulate software that may potentially handle malicious content.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to detect and block attacks and anomalous activity such as requests containing suspicious URI sequences. Since the webserver may log such requests, review its logs regularly.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
Web users should be cautious about following links to sites that are provided by unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Filtering HTML from emails may help remove a possible vector for transmitting malicious links to users.

Updates are available. Please see the references or vendor advisory for more information.