CVE-2009-3730 in Rational RequisitePro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the ReqWeb Help feature (aka the Web Client Help system) in IBM Rational RequisitePro 7.1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the operation parameter to ReqWebHelp/advanced/workingSet.jsp, or the (2) searchWord, (3) maxHits, (4) scopedSearch, or (5) scope parameter to ReqWebHelp/basic/searchView.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3730 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within IBM Rational RequisitePro 7.1.0's Web Client Help system, specifically affecting the ReqWeb Help feature. This flaw exists in the advanced working set functionality and basic search capabilities of the application's web interface, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors seeking to exploit client-side vulnerabilities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's help system, which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple entry points within the ReqWeb Help subsystem, specifically targeting the advanced/workingSet.jsp and basic/searchView.jsp components. Attackers can manipulate the operation parameter in the workingSet.jsp file or inject malicious payloads through searchWord, maxHits, scopedSearch, or scope parameters in the searchView.jsp file. These parameters are directly processed by the web application without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically focusing on cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform persistent attacks against authenticated users within the Rational RequisitePro environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish a foothold within the development team's collaborative environment, potentially accessing sensitive requirements documentation, modifying project data, or executing malicious code against other users who interact with the help system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond basic network access and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it highly exploitable in both internal network environments and externally accessible deployments.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rational RequisitePro 7.1.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters within the affected help system components. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML encoding and validation for all parameters processed by the vulnerable jsp files, ensuring that any input containing potentially malicious content is properly escaped or rejected. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and restrict access to the vulnerable help system endpoints. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, while also ensuring that the application is updated to a patched version of IBM Rational RequisitePro that addresses this specific vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious web content, and represents a classic example of how help systems can become attack vectors in enterprise software environments.