CVE-2011-2606 in Rational Team Concert
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Web UI in IBM Rational Team Concert (RTC) 3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka Work Item 165511.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2011-2606 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in IBM Rational Team Concert version 3.0 web user interface. This security weakness resides within the application's web-based management interface and specifically affects the handling of user input parameters. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application and the data it processes. IBM Rational Team Concert is a collaborative software development platform that enables teams to manage requirements, track work items, and coordinate development activities through its web-based interface. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to properly sanitize and validate input received through unspecified parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the RTC web UI components. When users interact with the application's web interface, particularly when working with work items or other collaborative features, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This weakness creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be executed as script within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically impacts the work item management functionality, which is central to RTC's core operations. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a fundamental weakness in web application security. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector indicates that no local access or authentication is required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is accessible over networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2606 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the RTC environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, access sensitive project data, or manipulate work item information. The vulnerability's presence in the work item management system could compromise the integrity of development tracking information, potentially leading to incorrect project metrics, corrupted requirement tracking, or unauthorized changes to development tasks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the application, potentially using it as a foothold for further attacks within the development environment. The impact is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where RTC is used for managing critical development projects and sensitive intellectual property. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, and T1071 which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rational Team Concert 3.0 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that correct the input validation and output encoding issues within the web UI components. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Input sanitization measures should be enhanced throughout the application's web interface, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous validation before processing. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential damage from exploitation attempts, while regular security monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious activities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of clicking on untrusted links or providing information to suspicious sources within the RTC environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in collaborative development platforms, where the web interface serves as a primary attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise development workflows and project integrity.