CVE-2008-5326 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
The ClearQuest Maintenance Tool in IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.0.0 before 7.0.0.4 and 7.0.1 before 7.0.1.3 on Windows allows local users to obtain (1) user and (2) database passwords by using a password revealer utility on a field containing a series of asterisks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5326 represents a critical security flaw in IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.0.0 and 7.0.1 versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue affects the ClearQuest Maintenance Tool component on Windows operating systems and demonstrates a significant weakness in credential handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the password field display behavior within the maintenance tool, creating an exploitable condition that allows local attackers to extract sensitive authentication information. The flaw stems from the tool's improper handling of password fields that display asterisks as placeholders, which can be reverse-engineered to reveal actual password values through specialized utilities. This represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and improper credential storage practices, where the system fails to adequately protect sensitive information during display operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the underlying mechanism by which the ClearQuest Maintenance Tool manages password fields. When users enter passwords into the tool, the system displays asterisks as placeholders to mask the actual input. However, the vulnerability occurs because the tool stores the password data in a manner that can be accessed through memory inspection or specialized password revealer utilities. The asterisk-based masking does not actually encrypt or obscure the password data at the storage level, but rather provides a visual representation that can be bypassed by examining the underlying data structures. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the principle that visual masking does not equate to actual data protection, violating fundamental security practices for credential management and data sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5326 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire authentication framework of the ClearQuest environment. Local users who exploit this vulnerability gain access to both user credentials and database passwords, potentially enabling them to escalate privileges and access sensitive enterprise data. The implications are particularly severe in environments where ClearQuest manages critical business processes and database connections, as attackers could potentially compromise entire database systems and extract confidential information. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in implementing proper access controls and credential protection mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access, making it accessible to users who already have some level of system interaction capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for IBM Rational ClearQuest versions 7.0.0.4 and 7.0.1.3 to address the underlying issue. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all ClearQuest installations to identify potentially vulnerable versions and implement enhanced monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-256, which addresses 'Incomplete Password Verification' and represents a failure to properly protect authentication credentials. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1555.003 'Credentials from Password Stores' and T1078 'Valid Accounts' as it enables attackers to obtain valid credentials that can be used for further system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, privilege separation, and enhanced logging of maintenance tool usage to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails of credential-related activities.