CVE-2012-2168 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 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive stack-trace information from CM server error messages via an invalid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2021
IBM Rational ClearQuest versions 7.1.x prior to 7.1.2.7 and 8.x prior to 8.0.0.3 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive stack-trace information through server error messages when processing invalid parameters. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk in software development lifecycle management tools. The flaw occurs when the CM server processes malformed input parameters, causing the system to generate detailed error messages that include stack-trace information. These error messages are then transmitted to authenticated users who can exploit this behavior to gain insights into the internal workings of the application, including file paths, method names, and potentially sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the ClearQuest server component. When an authenticated user submits a request with an invalid parameter, the system fails to properly sanitize or mask error responses, resulting in the exposure of detailed technical information that should remain confidential. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 which involves the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather intelligence about the target system. The stack-trace information reveals the underlying architecture, code structure, and potentially sensitive environmental details that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability specifically affects the server-side processing logic where input validation occurs, indicating a design flaw in the error reporting system that does not adequately protect sensitive diagnostic information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks against the Rational ClearQuest environment. An attacker with authenticated access can systematically exploit this vulnerability to map out the application's internal structure, identify potential attack vectors, and understand the system's response patterns to malformed inputs. This intelligence gathering capability significantly increases the risk of subsequent compromise, as it enables attackers to craft more targeted attacks against the system. The exposure of stack-trace information also violates security best practices established by frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten, which emphasizes the importance of not exposing sensitive system information in error messages to prevent attackers from gaining insights into the application's architecture.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rational ClearQuest should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for versions 7.1.2.7 and 8.0.0.3 to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include configuring the system to suppress detailed error messages and implement proper input validation mechanisms that prevent invalid parameters from triggering stack-trace generation. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual error message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of this vulnerability by restricting unauthorized access to the ClearQuest server environment. The remediation process should be complemented by security awareness training for system administrators to ensure proper error handling configuration and monitoring practices are maintained.