CVE-2007-1468 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational ClearQuest (CQ) Web 7.0.0.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an attachment to a defect log entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1468 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Rational ClearQuest Web version 7.0.0.0, a widely used requirements management and issue tracking system in enterprise software development environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the defect log entry functionality where users can attach files to report issues, creating an attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's web interface.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ClearQuest Web application's attachment handling process. When users submit defect log entries with attachments, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface. This allows attackers to craft malicious attachment names or content that, when processed by the application, gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the web-based interface rather than the underlying database or server components, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users interact with the same issue tracking system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. In enterprise settings where ClearQuest is used for managing sensitive requirements, bug tracking, and compliance documentation, this vulnerability could allow attackers to access confidential project information, manipulate defect records, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly attractive to attackers targeting software development organizations.
Organizations using IBM Rational ClearQuest Web 7.0.0.0 should prioritize immediate mitigation through official IBM security patches and updates, as well as implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at network boundaries, web application firewalls, and user education regarding suspicious attachment handling. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to spearphishing with malicious attachments. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual attachment patterns and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches to ensure they do not disrupt existing workflow processes while maintaining the integrity of the defect tracking system's core functionality.