CVE-2012-0744 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.1.x through 7.1.2.7 and 8.x through 8.0.0.3 allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a request to a (1) snoop, (2) hello, (3) ivt/, (4) hitcount, (5) HitCount.jsp, (6) HelloHTMLError.jsp, (7) HelloHTML.jsp, (8) HelloVXMLError.jsp, (9) HelloVXML.jsp, (10) HelloWMLError.jsp, (11) HelloWML.jsp, or (12) cqweb/j_security_check sample script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
IBM Rational ClearQuest versions 7.1.x through 7.1.2.7 and 8.x through 8.0.0.3 contain a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that affects multiple web scripts and endpoints. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Disclosure, specifically exposing potentially sensitive data through improper error handling and response mechanisms. The affected endpoints include snoop, hello, ivt/, hitcount, HitCount.jsp, HelloHTMLError.jsp, HelloHTML.jsp, HelloVXMLError.jsp, HelloVXML.jsp, HelloWMLError.jsp, HelloWML.jsp, and cqweb/j_security_check scripts. These endpoints are designed to handle various web service requests and authentication processes within the Rational ClearQuest application framework.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the web server components of ClearQuest. When remote attackers submit requests to any of these specific endpoints, the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to internal system information, configuration details, or authentication tokens that should remain confidential. This occurs because the web server components lack proper access controls and input filtering mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple endpoints across different service types, indicating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture rather than isolated component failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the target system, including version information, configuration settings, and potentially authentication mechanisms that could be used in subsequent exploitation attempts. The exposure of sensitive information through these endpoints could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation, authentication bypass, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both the 7.1.x and 8.x release lines, suggesting that the underlying architectural flaw has persisted across multiple versions of the application. This widespread impact increases the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations running these legacy versions of Rational ClearQuest.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the latest security patches from IBM that address the specific information disclosure flaws in the affected endpoints. System administrators should also implement network-level access controls to restrict access to these vulnerable endpoints until proper patches are applied. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their Rational ClearQuest installations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as attackers can use the exposed information to map the target environment and gather data for more advanced attacks. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.