CVE-2010-4094 in Rational Test Lab Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Tomcat server in IBM Rational Quality Manager and Rational Test Lab Manager has a default password for the ADMIN account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging access to the manager role. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2009-3548.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4094 affects IBM Rational Quality Manager and Rational Test Lab Manager systems that utilize Apache Tomcat server components. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanisms of these enterprise quality management tools, where the Tomcat server instance is configured with a default administrative password that remains unchanged post-installation. The vulnerability stems from poor security configuration practices that leave systems accessible to unauthorized users with minimal effort required to gain elevated privileges. This default credential issue directly violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the integrity and availability of quality management processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the Tomcat server's administrative interface where the default ADMIN account credentials are predictable and well-documented within security communities. Attackers can leverage this known default password to authenticate as the administrative user, subsequently gaining access to the manager role which provides extensive control over the application server. This administrative access enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through various attack vectors including but not limited to uploading malicious web applications, modifying existing applications, or directly manipulating server configurations. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software implementations, and represents a classic example of insecure credential management practices. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway follows ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which focuses on valid accounts and credential access through default credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal reconnaissance and technical expertise to successfully compromise the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4094 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to completely subvert the quality management processes that these tools are designed to protect. Organizations using affected versions of Rational Quality Manager and Rational Test Lab Manager face significant risks including data integrity compromise, system availability disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate test results, corrupt quality metrics, or even deploy malicious code that could persist across system reboots. Additionally, the default administrative credentials provide attackers with capabilities to escalate privileges beyond the initial access point, potentially leading to full system compromise. The overlap with CVE-2009-3548 suggests that this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting multiple IBM Rational products, indicating that organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their entire suite of Rational tools. The long-term implications include potential regulatory compliance violations, loss of quality assurance data, and reputational damage to organizations that fail to address this configuration weakness in their quality management environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4094 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should immediately change the default administrative password for all Tomcat server instances within their Rational Quality Manager and Rational Test Lab Manager environments, implementing strong password policies that enforce complexity requirements and regular rotation schedules. The implementation should follow NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for password management and consider implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Network segmentation and access control measures should be deployed to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to only authorized personnel and systems. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining default credentials or weak configurations within the Rational tool suite. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure that all components, including the underlying Tomcat server, are maintained at current security baselines. The remediation efforts should include comprehensive documentation of all credential changes and access control modifications to support audit requirements and maintain security compliance standards.