CVE-2022-35642 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization in the web user interface, allowing an authenticated user to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The injected script executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially altering the intended functionality of the application. The primary risk is the disclosure of sensitive information such as user credentials or session tokens within a trusted session. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have at least limited privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R), such as convincing a user to click a crafted link or interact with malicious content. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required (PR:L), user interaction required (UI:R), scope changed (S:C), and low impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) with no impact on availability (A:N). The CWE classification is CWE-78, indicating improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('OS Command Injection'), which aligns with the XSS nature of the vulnerability. No known public exploits have been reported, and no official patches are currently linked, suggesting remediation may require configuration changes or vendor updates. The vulnerability affects the web interface component of IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7, a data integration platform widely used in enterprise environments for data warehousing, governance, and analytics workflows.

For European organizations, the exploitation of this XSS vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of credentials or session tokens, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially escalate privileges within the InfoSphere environment. Given that InfoSphere is often integrated with critical data processing and analytics pipelines, such unauthorized access could compromise data integrity and confidentiality, impacting business intelligence, regulatory compliance, and operational decision-making. The altered functionality via injected scripts could also facilitate further attacks such as session hijacking, phishing within trusted sessions, or lateral movement inside the network. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face increased risk of data breaches and regulatory penalties. The requirement for user interaction and some privilege level reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially in environments where users have elevated privileges or where social engineering is effective.

Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the IBM InfoSphere Information Server web UI to prevent script injection. Apply the latest IBM security updates and patches as soon as they become available for InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk posed by compromised accounts, especially limiting access to the web UI. Educate users on the risks of interacting with unsolicited links or content within the InfoSphere environment to reduce successful social engineering attempts. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting InfoSphere web interfaces. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, such as unexpected script execution or privilege escalations. Consider network segmentation to isolate InfoSphere servers from less trusted network zones, limiting exposure to potential attackers. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on web interface vulnerabilities within InfoSphere deployments.