CVE-2015-0122 in Rational Team Concert
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Team Concert 2.x and 3.x before 3.0.1.6 iFix 5, 4.x before 4.0.7 iFix3, and 5.x before 5.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0123.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0122 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting IBM Rational Team Concert versions 2.x through 5.x prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability specifically impacts the web application's handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw exists in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, where properly crafted URLs containing malicious payloads can bypass security controls and be rendered directly in the browser without appropriate sanitization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit it, but once successful, the malicious code can operate within the context of the victim's privileged session. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly encode or validate URL parameters before rendering them in web pages, creating an environment where user input can be interpreted as executable code rather than benign data.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass significant security risks for organizations using IBM Rational Team Concert for software development lifecycle management. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, access sensitive project data, modify work items, or even escalate privileges within the application. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating a widespread issue that would have impacted numerous organizations relying on Rational Team Concert for their development processes. The vulnerability's persistence across versions 2.x through 5.x suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling architecture that required coordinated patching across different release lines to address properly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0122 should prioritize immediate application of the vendor-provided patches, specifically the iFix releases mentioned in the CVE description for each affected version line. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application-level sanitization, and output encoding controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all web applications to identify potential similar flaws in input handling, particularly focusing on URL parameter processing and dynamic content generation. The remediation process should include not only patching the specific vulnerability but also implementing robust security coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors including XSS, SQL injection, and other common web application vulnerabilities. Regular security testing and monitoring of application logs should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure the effectiveness of implemented controls.