CVE-2011-2681 in Rational DOORS Web Access
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational DOORS Web Access 1.4.x before 1.4.0.4 does not properly handle exceptions, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2681 affects IBM Rational DOORS Web Access version 1.4.x prior to 1.4.0.4, representing a critical security flaw in enterprise requirements management software. This vulnerability stems from improper exception handling mechanisms within the web access component that processes user requests and manages database interactions. The flaw exists in the application's error processing logic where unhandled exceptions can occur during normal operational procedures, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized access. The vulnerability has been categorized under CWE-444, which specifically addresses improper handling of exceptions in web applications, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this requirements management platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the flawed exception handling by crafting specific requests that trigger internal errors within the application. When such requests are processed, the application fails to properly manage these exceptions, potentially causing the system to reveal sensitive information through error messages or allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. The unspecified impact and remote attack vectors indicate that this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target the application through network connections, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such tools are often exposed to external networks.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rational DOORS Web Access must understand the operational implications of this vulnerability, as it directly affects the integrity and availability of their requirements management processes. The flaw could compromise sensitive business requirements, system configurations, and intellectual property stored within the platform. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability might gain access to privileged information, modify requirements data, or disrupt normal business operations through service disruption. The remote nature of the attack vector means that this vulnerability could be exploited from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals seeking to compromise enterprise systems. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1211 for exploitation of remote services and T1068 for local privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities, highlighting the multi-faceted threat landscape this flaw presents.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to IBM Rational DOORS Web Access 1.4.0.4 or later versions, which contain fixed exception handling mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable application, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and error handling practices in custom applications that interface with DOORS Web Access can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper exception handling in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when applications fail to gracefully manage error conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and web application security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this type of vulnerability.