CVE-2015-0113 in Rational Framework
Summary
by MITRE
The Jazz help system in IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management 4.0 through 5.0.2, Rational Quality Manager 4.0 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2, Rational Team Concert 4.0 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2, Rational Requirements Composer 4.0 through 4.0.7, Rational DOORS Next Generation 4.0 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2, Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager 4.0.3 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2, Rational Rhapsody Design Manager 4.0 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2, and Rational Software Architect Design Manager 4.0 through 4.0.7 and 5.0 through 5.0.2 allows remote attackers to read JSP source code via a crafted request.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0113 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Jazz help system component of multiple IBM Rational collaborative software platforms. This vulnerability affects a broad range of enterprise-level development and lifecycle management tools including Collaborative Lifecycle Management, Quality Manager, Team Concert, Requirements Composer, DOORS Next Generation, Engineering Lifecycle Manager, Rhapsody Design Manager, and Software Architect Design Manager across versions 4.0 through 5.0.2. The flaw exists in the help system's request handling mechanism and allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive JSP source code files through specially crafted HTTP requests. This represents a significant security risk as JSP files often contain application logic, database connection details, and other sensitive implementation code that could be exploited for further attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper access control within the help system's web interface. When users submit crafted requests to the help system, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters, allowing malicious actors to traverse directory structures and access files that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve source code files that contain application logic, configuration information, and potentially sensitive business logic that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The impact is particularly severe because JSP source files often contain embedded database credentials, application-specific logic, and other sensitive information that could be used to compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential pathways for attackers to escalate their privileges and conduct more sophisticated attacks. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these tools are often accessible from external networks. The exposure of JSP source code could reveal implementation details that attackers could use to develop targeted attacks against the application's specific architecture. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of remote services to gain access to systems, and T1566, which covers the exploitation of remote services for initial access. Organizations running affected versions of these Rational tools face significant risk of data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential system compromise, as the disclosed information could be used to craft more targeted attacks against the underlying applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released for the affected IBM Rational products. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit access to these help systems and reduce the attack surface. The implementation of web application firewalls and proper input validation controls can help prevent malicious requests from reaching the vulnerable components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to help system endpoints, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software stack. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure that security updates are applied promptly across all affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications, particularly in enterprise software where multiple components may be exposed to external networks.