CVE-2012-2165 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.1.x before 7.1.2.7 and 8.x before 8.0.0.3, when ClearQuest Authentication is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to read password hashes via a user query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
IBM Rational ClearQuest versions 7.1.x prior to 7.1.2.7 and 8.x prior to 8.0.0.3 contain a critical security flaw that enables remote authenticated users to extract password hashes through user query operations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the authentication subsystem, specifically when ClearQuest Authentication is enabled. The flaw exists in the query processing logic that fails to properly sanitize user inputs before executing database operations, allowing malicious authenticated users to craft specific queries that bypass normal access restrictions and retrieve hashed password information from the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and CWE-264, covering permissions, privileges, and access controls. Attackers exploiting this weakness can leverage their authenticated status to submit crafted queries that traverse the application's query interface and directly access sensitive user credential information stored in the system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the authentication and authorization components of the ClearQuest platform, making it particularly dangerous as it requires only legitimate user credentials to initiate the attack vector.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations using IBM Rational ClearQuest for software configuration management and issue tracking. The exposure of password hashes can facilitate advanced persistent threats where attackers use the retrieved information to conduct credential stuffing attacks against other systems, perform pass-the-hash attacks, or target the underlying authentication infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate credential compromise as these hashes can be subjected to offline password cracking attempts, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations utilizing ClearQuest for managing sensitive software development processes face elevated risk of intellectual property theft and unauthorized access to development environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment to the affected versions, ensuring that all systems are updated to IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.1.2.7 or 8.0.0.3 respectively. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ClearQuest systems, particularly limiting direct network access to administrative interfaces. Enhanced monitoring of user query activities and database access patterns can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of authentication systems will strengthen overall security posture. Organizations should also consider disabling ClearQuest Authentication where possible and implementing alternative authentication mechanisms that provide better access control and input validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and input sanitization in enterprise applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1110 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts.