CVE-2010-4603 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.0.x before 7.0.1.11, 7.1.1.x before 7.1.1.4, and 7.1.2.x before 7.1.2.1 does not prevent modification of back-reference fields, which allows remote authenticated users to interfere with intended record relationships, and possibly cause a denial of service (loop) or have unspecified other impact, by (1) adding or (2) removing a back reference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4603 affects IBM Rational ClearQuest versions 7.0.x prior to 7.0.1.11, 7.1.1.x prior to 7.1.1.4, and 7.1.2.x prior to 7.1.2.1. This security flaw resides in the database relationship management system that governs how records interact within the ClearQuest environment, specifically targeting the handling of back-reference fields that establish relationships between different data entities. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized modification of these critical relationship fields, which are fundamental to maintaining data integrity and logical consistency within the application's database structure.
The technical flaw manifests when authenticated users exploit a weakness in the access control and validation processes that govern back-reference field modifications. Back-reference fields in ClearQuest serve as pointers that maintain bidirectional relationships between related records, ensuring data consistency and logical flow within the system. When these fields become modifiable by authenticated users without proper restrictions, attackers can manipulate the relationship structures to create circular references or break existing connections. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, specifically targeting the lack of proper authorization controls for database relationship management functions. The flaw allows attackers to perform operations that should be restricted to system administrators or authorized personnel, thereby undermining the integrity of the data model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially leading to severe system instability and service disruption. When attackers manipulate back-reference fields by adding or removing relationships, they can create infinite loops within the database's relationship graph, causing the system to enter recursive processing states that may result in denial of service conditions. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where ClearQuest serves as a critical component for issue tracking, change management, and workflow automation. The vulnerability can also enable attackers to disrupt business processes by breaking intended record relationships, potentially causing cascading failures throughout dependent systems that rely on ClearQuest data integrity. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1484.001 which covers "Domain Policy Modification" and represents a form of data integrity attack that can undermine the trustworthiness of the system's core data structures.
The security implications of CVE-2010-4603 highlight the critical importance of maintaining proper access controls for database relationship management functions within enterprise applications. Organizations utilizing IBM Rational ClearQuest should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for versions 7.0.1.11, 7.1.1.4, and 7.1.2.1 to address this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of existing ClearQuest configurations to identify any unauthorized modifications to relationship fields and establish monitoring procedures to detect suspicious activities related to back-reference management. The vulnerability demonstrates the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include proper input validation, access control enforcement, and regular security assessments of database relationship management components within enterprise software platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privileged access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their operational environments.