CVE-2011-1029 in Rational Team Concert
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Team Concert (RTC) 2.0.0.x allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name of a shared report.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1029 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM Rational Team Concert version 2.0.0.x, specifically affecting the application's handling of shared report names. This weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a pervasive security issue that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in the web interface of RTC, which is designed to facilitate collaborative software development and project management activities within enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user creates or modifies a shared report within the RTC platform and includes malicious script code within the report name field. When other authenticated users access this shared report, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding in the web application's user interface components, specifically in how it processes and renders user-supplied data in the report naming functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise the integrity of the development environment. In enterprise settings where RTC is used for managing sensitive project data, this vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges, access confidential source code repositories, or manipulate development workflows. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first gain legitimate user credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to maintain persistent access and conduct more extensive reconnaissance activities. This weakness particularly affects organizations that rely on RTC for collaborative development processes where multiple users share reports and project information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly in fields where reports and other user-generated content are displayed. The recommended approach involves implementing proper output encoding mechanisms that prevent script execution when rendering user-provided content in web interfaces. Security patches from IBM should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or content security policies to provide additional layers of protection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the potential for attackers to use this weakness as a foothold for broader network infiltration and persistence activities. Regular security assessments and user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or downloading untrusted content from shared reports should also be implemented as part of a comprehensive defense strategy.