CVE-2015-7439 in Rational Software Architect
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in InfoSphere Data Architect (IDA), as distributed in IBM Rational Software Architect 8.5 through 9.5, Rational Software Architect for WebSphere Software (RSA4WS) 8.5 through 9.5, and Rational Software Architect RealTime (RSART) 8.5 through 9.5, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2018
The CVE-2015-7439 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within IBM's InfoSphere Data Architect suite, affecting multiple Rational Software Architect products including RSA4WS and RSART across versions 8.5 through 9.5. This vulnerability resides in the web-based interface components of these enterprise data modeling tools, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the affected applications. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input within URL parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted URLs that contain malicious payloads designed to bypass input validation mechanisms within the InfoSphere Data Architect web interface. When a user navigates to such a malicious URL, the application processes the input without adequate sanitization, leading to the execution of injected scripts in the victim's browser environment. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, where improper validation of user input leads to unauthorized script execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure input handling pattern that violates fundamental web security principles and represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where these tools are deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7439 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and potentially elevate privileges within the application context. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user credentials, access sensitive data models, or redirect users to malicious sites for phishing attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects enterprise-level development tools where users may have elevated privileges and access to critical business data. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Modify System Image" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can use the injected scripts to establish persistent access or execute additional malicious commands within the compromised environment.
Organizations utilizing these IBM Rational Software Architect products should implement immediate mitigations including input validation enhancements, web application firewalls, and comprehensive user education regarding suspicious URL handling. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper output encoding and input sanitization in web applications, particularly in enterprise development environments where tools handle sensitive data and user credentials. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their deployed environments and ensure that all affected versions receive appropriate patches from IBM. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments.