CVE-2012-5765 in Rational ClearQuest
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Client (aka CQ Web) in IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.1.2.x before 7.1.2.9 and 8.0.0.x before 8.0.0.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors that trigger a SQL error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5765 affects IBM Rational ClearQuest Web Client component, specifically versions 7.1.2.x prior to 7.1.2.9 and 8.0.0.x prior to 8.0.0.5. This security flaw represents a sensitive data exposure issue that occurs through SQL error message disclosure mechanisms within the web application interface. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the database interaction layer of the ClearQuest Web Client, which inadvertently reveals internal database information to remote attackers through error messages generated during SQL operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Web Client's failure to properly sanitize or suppress SQL error messages that are generated when database queries encounter issues. When malicious actors exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors, they can trigger SQL error responses that contain sensitive information about the underlying database structure, query syntax, or internal system components. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and represents a common pattern in web application security flaws where error handling mechanisms leak system information. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that allow attackers to gather intelligence about the database schema and potentially identify additional attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing IBM Rational ClearQuest in their software development lifecycle management processes. The exposure of database information through error messages can enable attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or further exploitation of the application. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked database information can be used to construct targeted attacks against the underlying database infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where ClearQuest manages sensitive development data, change requests, or configuration information. Attackers could leverage the disclosed information to bypass authentication mechanisms, exploit additional vulnerabilities, or conduct more precise and effective attacks against the application and its supporting database systems.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2012-5765 requires immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates for both affected version lines of IBM Rational ClearQuest. Organizations should also implement comprehensive error handling procedures that ensure all database errors are properly sanitized before being displayed to users or logged in system outputs. This includes implementing generic error messages that do not reveal database structure information, configuring proper logging mechanisms that capture error details without exposing sensitive information, and establishing robust input validation processes. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to trigger SQL error responses, as well as regular security assessments to identify similar error handling vulnerabilities within the application stack. The remediation process should follow industry best practices for secure coding and error handling as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework categories related to information disclosure and command execution vulnerabilities.