CVE-2016-2986 in Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6, Rational Quality Manager 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6, Rational Team Concert 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6, Rational DOORS Next Generation 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6, Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6, and Rational Rhapsody Design Manager 6.x before 6.0.1 iFix6 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2986 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple IBM Rational product lines within version 6.x before the release of iFix6. This security weakness resides in the web application interfaces of these enterprise-level software development tools that are widely used for managing complex software development lifecycles. The affected products include Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management, Rational Quality Manager, Rational Team Concert, Rational DOORS Next Generation, Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager, and Rational Rhapsody Design Manager, all sharing common web-based user interfaces that process user input through unspecified vectors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users who are already within the system, meaning that malicious actors who have gained legitimate access can exploit this weakness to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper input validation allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive development data, or manipulate the functionality of these critical enterprise tools. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that would execute whenever other users view affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or even privilege escalation within the development environment. The attack surface is particularly wide given that these tools are typically used by development teams, quality assurance personnel, and project managers who have access to sensitive intellectual property, code repositories, and project documentation. The fact that the vulnerability affects multiple related products within the IBM Rational suite suggests a systemic issue in the web application framework or input sanitization mechanisms shared across these platforms. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through malicious web content, and T1059 which covers execution through script interpreters, demonstrating how this vulnerability could enable further exploitation stages in a broader attack campaign.
Organizations utilizing these IBM Rational products should prioritize immediate implementation of the available iFix6 patches that address this vulnerability, as the affected versions represent a significant security risk to development environments. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures including input validation monitoring, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments of these critical development tools. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise software environments, particularly for tools that handle sensitive development data and project information. Organizations should also review their user access controls and implement principle of least privilege practices to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Given the nature of these development lifecycle management tools, it is crucial to monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized script injections that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in enterprise software and the necessity of comprehensive security testing, particularly for web applications that process user-generated content and maintain access to sensitive business information.