CVE-2015-7484 in Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager 3.0 before 3.0.1.6 iFix7 Interim Fix 1 and 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix10 allow remote authenticated users with access to lifecycle projects to obtain sensitive information by sending a crafted URL to the Lifecycle Query Engine. IBM X-Force ID: 108619.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7484 affects IBM Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager versions 3.0 through 3.0.1.5 and 4.0 through 4.0.6, representing a significant information disclosure weakness within the Lifecycle Query Engine component. This flaw enables remote authenticated users who possess project access privileges to extract sensitive data by manipulating URL parameters, effectively bypassing intended access controls and exposing confidential information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability specifically targets the query engine's handling of crafted URLs, which can be exploited by malicious actors who already have legitimate access to lifecycle projects but seek to expand their data access beyond permitted boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the Lifecycle Query Engine's URL processing mechanism. When users submit crafted URLs to the system, the engine fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters before processing them, allowing attackers to manipulate the query structure to access data they should not be authorized to view. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control validation where the system trusts user-provided input without proper verification of the requester's privileges or the legitimacy of the requested data access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited over a network connection, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges beyond legitimate project access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7484 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire engineering lifecycle management process. Organizations utilizing IBM Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager may find their sensitive project data, including requirements specifications, design documents, test cases, and other proprietary information, accessible to unauthorized parties who can craft the appropriate URLs. This exposure can lead to intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and potential compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where data protection is paramount. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can be categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" with potential implications for CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" if the query engine processes serialized parameters.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1083 technique for "File and Directory Discovery" and T1005 as "Data from Local System." The vulnerability enables attackers to discover and access data that should remain hidden within the system's access controls, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided iFix updates, reviewing access controls, and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns within system logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access control mechanisms at every layer of application processing. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that access to sensitive lifecycle data remains properly restricted to authorized personnel only.