CVE-2014-0841 in Rational Focal Point
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Focal Point 6.4.0, 6.4.1, 6.5.1, 6.5.2, and 6.6.0 use a weak algorithm to hash passwords, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain cleartext values via a brute-force attack. IBM X-Force ID: 90704.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0841 affects IBM Rational Focal Point versions 6.4.0 through 6.6.0, representing a critical weakness in the password hashing mechanism that significantly undermines system security. This flaw resides in the authentication subsystem where user credentials are processed and stored, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the platform. The issue manifests as the use of a weak cryptographic algorithm for password hashing, which fundamentally compromises the security posture of the entire system by making password recovery significantly more feasible than it should be under proper security protocols.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the adoption of insufficiently robust hashing algorithms that fail to provide adequate protection against brute-force attacks. When users create accounts or modify their passwords within IBM Rational Focal Point, the system applies a hashing function that does not adequately obscure the original cleartext values. This weakness allows attackers to systematically attempt password guesses using computational resources, leveraging the predictable nature of the hashing mechanism to reverse-engineer user credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the password storage and verification process, where weak algorithms such as MD5 or SHA-1 without proper salting mechanisms are employed, making the system particularly susceptible to rainbow table attacks and other cryptographic exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on IBM Rational Focal Point for software development lifecycle management and project tracking. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that successful exploitation typically requires either local access to the system or the ability to intercept network traffic containing authentication information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise user accounts, potentially gaining access to sensitive project data, source code repositories, and development artifacts that the system is designed to protect. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and data exfiltration operations that could severely damage organizational security and intellectual property.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory password policy enforcement with strong complexity requirements, regular security assessments, and consideration of system upgrades to versions that address this vulnerability. Organizations must also conduct comprehensive password resets for all affected user accounts and implement additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a clear violation of NIST SP 800-63 standards for password management and authentication. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1110.003 for credential access through brute force attacks and T1566 for initial access via credential compromise, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.
The remediation approach requires organizations to transition to stronger password hashing mechanisms that implement proper salting and iterative hashing functions such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. IBM should have issued security patches addressing the specific cryptographic implementation flaw in the affected versions, while organizations must ensure their security configurations align with industry best practices for credential storage. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in authentication systems. The incident highlights the necessity of adhering to established security frameworks and maintaining up-to-date security practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such exploitable weaknesses from persisting in enterprise applications.