CVE-2008-5330 in Rational Clearquest
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web interface in ClearCase RWP server in IBM Rational ClearCase 7.0.0 before 7.0.0.4, and 7.0.1.1-RATL-RCC-IFIX02 and possibly other 7.0.1 versions before 7.0.1.3, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO of a URI associated with a VOB page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5330 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in IBM Rational ClearCase's web interface component known as the RWP server. This flaw exists within the version control system's web-based interface that allows users to interact with versioned objects and repositories through a web browser. The vulnerability specifically affects IBM Rational ClearCase versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.0.3 and certain 7.0.1 releases prior to 7.0.1.3, making it a widespread issue affecting multiple release streams of the software. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter within Uniform Resource Identifiers that are associated with Version Object Base (VOB) pages. When a user accesses a VOB page through the web interface, the server processes the PATH_INFO component of the URI to determine how to display or handle the requested resource. Attackers can inject malicious scripts or HTML content into this parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the same VOB page. This type of attack leverages the fact that the web interface does not properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating a classic XSS attack vector that enables session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing IBM Rational ClearCase as their version control system. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code in the browser context of legitimate users, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web interface access. This could result in unauthorized access to version control repositories, modification of versioned content, and the ability to perform actions as authenticated users. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication to initiate, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the web interface. Organizations using ClearCase in environments where sensitive source code or intellectual property is stored face substantial risk of data exposure and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core web functionality of the RWP server, which serves as the primary interface for many ClearCase operations, making it a critical component to secure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary and most effective solution is to upgrade to IBM Rational ClearCase versions 7.0.0.4 or 7.0.1.3 and later, which contain patches addressing this specific XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the attack surface by restricting access to the web interface to only authorized users. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, following best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution which emphasizes how attackers can use web-based vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.