CVE-2016-0285 in Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management 3.0.1.6 before iFix8, 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; Rational Quality Manager 3.0.1.6 before iFix8, 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; Rational Team Concert 3.0.1.6 before iFix8, 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; Rational DOORS Next Generation 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager 4.x before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; Rational Rhapsody Design Manager 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5; and Rational Software Architect Design Manager 4.0 before 4.0.7 iFix11, 5.0 before 5.0.2 iFix18, and 6.0 before 6.0.2 iFix5 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in multiple IBM Rational products including Collaborative Lifecycle Management, Quality Manager, Team Concert, DOORS Next Generation, Engineering Lifecycle Manager, Rhapsody Design Manager, and Software Architect Design Manager. The flaw affects specific version ranges across different product lines, with the vulnerability present in releases before the specified iFix patches. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application interfaces of these products. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious scripts through crafted input fields that are then reflected back to other users without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web output rendering. The affected applications fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before displaying it in web pages, creating opportunities for malicious script execution. When authenticated users interact with vulnerable applications, they may encounter malicious code execution in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability specifically impacts authenticated users who have legitimate access to the systems, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using these Rational products for software development lifecycle management. The attack surface is broad given the multiple product lines affected, and the fact that it requires only authenticated access makes it more accessible than some other web vulnerabilities. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive project data, manipulate test results, modify development artifacts, or gain unauthorized access to other users' sessions. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential organizational data breaches and disruption of development processes. Organizations relying on these tools for critical software development activities face substantial risk of operational disruption and data exposure.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected versions, with the specific iFix releases mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security assessments of web applications. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in user activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for users who interact with these applications to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks.