CVE-2011-1034 in Rational Build Forge
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the UI in IBM Rational Build Forge 7.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mod parameter to the fullcontrol program. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1034 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the user interface of IBM Rational Build Forge version 7.0.2. This security weakness resides in the fullcontrol program component where the mod parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web-based administration interface that system administrators and developers utilize for build management operations.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling. When the mod parameter is processed by the fullcontrol program, it does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's response and are subsequently executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who interact with the affected interface. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious content is stored on the server and executed when other users access the affected page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the build environment and potentially escalate privileges. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject backdoors, or manipulate build processes to compromise the integrity of the software development lifecycle. The affected IBM Rational Build Forge environment could become a staging ground for further attacks, particularly in enterprise settings where build servers often contain sensitive information about source code, build configurations, and development workflows. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on the Rational Build Forge for continuous integration and deployment processes, as compromised build environments can lead to supply chain attacks and code injection in production systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1034 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IBM Rational Build Forge 7.0.2 installation with the vendor-provided security update. Organizations should implement input validation controls at the application level, including proper HTML encoding of all user-supplied data before rendering in web responses. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous parameter values in the mod parameter. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments and links, as attackers may exploit this vulnerability through crafted web requests. Regular security assessments of web applications should include thorough input validation testing, and organizations should consider implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes regular third-party security audits of development tools and infrastructure components.