CVE-2014-3090 in Rational ClearCase
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational ClearCase 7.1 before 7.1.2.15, 8.0.0 before 8.0.0.12, and 8.0.1 before 8.0.1.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted XML document containing a large number of nested entity references, a similar issue to CVE-2003-1564.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3090 represents a critical denial of service weakness in IBM Rational ClearCase software versions prior to specific patch releases. This flaw manifests when the system processes malformed XML documents that contain excessive nested entity references, leading to uncontrolled memory consumption and eventual system instability. The vulnerability operates through the XML parsing mechanism that ClearCase employs for various operations including configuration management and version control functions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ClearCase is extensively utilized for software development lifecycle management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's inadequate handling of XML entity expansion during parsing operations. When a crafted XML document containing numerous nested entity references is processed, the parser recursively expands these entities without proper depth or count limitations, causing exponential memory growth. This behavior directly correlates with the well-documented CWE-639 vulnerability category, which encompasses authorization bypass through weak entity expansion controls. The flaw essentially creates a resource exhaustion scenario where the system consumes available memory at an accelerating rate until the process terminates or system stability is compromised. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate XML processing pathways, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional network monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of development workflows and project timelines. In enterprise settings where ClearCase serves as a central configuration management tool, a successful exploitation could halt development activities, prevent code check-ins, and disrupt continuous integration processes. Attackers could leverage this weakness to target development servers, build systems, or any environment where ClearCase processes XML data from untrusted sources. The memory consumption pattern creates a predictable denial of service condition that can be reliably reproduced, making it a preferred attack vector for adversaries seeking to disrupt business operations. Organizations using ClearCase for mission-critical applications face significant risk of operational downtime and potential data loss during sustained attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3090 require immediate patch application to the affected IBM Rational ClearCase versions, with the specific patch levels mentioned in the vulnerability description providing the necessary fixes. Organizations should implement XML input validation at all entry points where ClearCase processes external XML data, including configuration files, version control operations, and integration points with other development tools. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of ClearCase servers to untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that track memory usage patterns and resource consumption can help detect exploitation attempts before they cause complete system failure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499 sub-technique for Network Denial of Service, emphasizing the need for both preventive measures and detection capabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that no other XML processing components within the development infrastructure remain vulnerable to similar attacks.