CVE-2021-38883 : Security Advisory and Response

IBM Business Automation Workflow and IBM Business Process Manager are affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability, potentially allowing unauthorized users to inject malicious JavaScript code into the Web UI. This could result in the disclosure of sensitive information within a trusted session.

Understanding CVE-2021-38883

This section will provide insights into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-38883?

CVE-2021-38883 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting IBM Business Automation Workflow versions 18.0, 19.0, 20.0, and 21.0, as well as IBM Business Process Manager versions 8.5 and 8.6. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the Web UI, potentially leading to the compromise of sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38883

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk according to the CVSS v3.0 base score of 5.4. Attackers can leverage this flaw to alter the intended functionality of the affected systems, potentially leading to confidential information disclosure and unauthorized access within a trusted session.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38883

Let's delve deeper into the technical aspects of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to embed and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the Web UI of IBM Business Automation Workflow and IBM Business Process Manager, enabling them to manipulate the behavior of the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Business Automation Workflow versions 18.0, 19.0, 20.0, and 21.0, along with IBM Business Process Manager versions 8.5 and 8.6, are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting specially crafted JavaScript payloads into the affected web interfaces, tricking users into unintentionally executing malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-38883 is crucial for safeguarding your systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should consider implementing security measures such as input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices to mitigate the risk of cross-site scripting attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments, code reviews, and employee training on secure coding practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the cross-site scripting vulnerability in Business Automation Workflow and Business Process Manager.