Engineering Insights: Use of Web Link to Untrusted Target with window.opener Access
CVE-2024-39727 is a critical-severity use of web link to untrusted target with window.opener access vulnerability in Engineering Insights from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Engineering Insights versions: 7.0.2, 7.0.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Engineering Insights you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | Engineering Insights | 7.0.2, 7.0.3 | Not stated |
| IBM | Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Engineering Insights | 7.0.2; 7.0.3 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.1 | Medium | CNA (us.ibm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Engineering Insights 7.0.2 and 7.0.3 uses a web link with untrusted references to an external site. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on the victims’ web browser.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Web Link to Untrusted Target with window.opener Access
The web application produces links to untrusted external sites outside of its sphere of control, but it does not properly prevent the external site from modifying security-critical properties of the window.opener object, such as the location property.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Specify in the design that any linked external document must not be granted access to the location object of the calling page.
- When creating a link to an external document using the <a> tag with a defined target, for example _blank or a named frame, provide the rel attribute with a value noopener noreferrer. If opening the external document in a new window via javascript, then reset the opener by setting it equal to null.
- Do not use _blank targets. However, this can affect the usability of the application.
More Use of Web Link to Untrusted Target with window.opener Access vulnerabilities (CWE-1022)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Engineering Insights
- 8.2 High severity
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