CVE-2016-9748 in Rational Doors Next Generation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational DOORS Next Generation 5.0 and 6.0 discloses sensitive information in error response messages that could be used for further attacks against the system.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2020
IBM Rational DOORS Next Generation versions 5.0 and 6.0 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through overly detailed error response messages. This flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error messages containing sensitive information. The vulnerability occurs when the application encounters an error condition and returns detailed error responses that may include stack traces, internal system paths, database connection details, or other confidential data that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. Attackers can leverage this information to gain insights into the system architecture, underlying technologies, and potential attack vectors that could facilitate more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The disclosed information could enable threat actors to craft targeted attacks against specific system components, identify weak points in the application's security posture, or develop exploits that take advantage of known vulnerabilities in the underlying technologies. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and information hiding, which are fundamental security concepts that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the application's response mechanisms. When the system encounters an exception or unexpected condition during processing, it generates error messages that contain excessive detail rather than generic, user-friendly error responses. This behavior violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers exploitation for credential access through information discovery. The error messages may reveal database schema information, application server details, version numbers of underlying components, and other metadata that could be used to tailor subsequent attacks. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with actionable intelligence that can be used for privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted exploitation of known vulnerabilities in the disclosed system components. The vulnerability affects both version 5.0 and 6.0 of the application, indicating it was likely present in the codebase for an extended period, making it a persistent threat that could have been exploited for months or years without detection.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for organizations utilizing IBM Rational DOORS Next Generation in their software development lifecycle processes. The exposed information can be leveraged to conduct reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require more time and effort to gather through passive means. Attackers could use the disclosed information to identify potential entry points, understand the application's internal structure, and develop more effective attack strategies against the system. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where the application handles sensitive project data, intellectual property, or proprietary software development information. The exposure of internal system details could lead to cascading security issues where initial reconnaissance leads to more severe compromises. Organizations may experience increased risk of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability provides attackers with specific information about the system's configuration and implementation details. The potential for credential theft, unauthorized access to development environments, and exposure of sensitive project information makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where software development tools often contain valuable intellectual property.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize error responses before they are returned to clients. Organizations should configure the application to return generic error messages that do not contain sensitive information while logging detailed error information securely for administrative purposes. This approach aligns with the principle of defense in depth and follows security guidelines from NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. The recommended solution involves modifying the application's error handling code to ensure that error responses contain only minimal, non-sensitive information while preserving detailed logging for security operations teams. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the application to unauthorized users. Patch management processes should be established to ensure timely deployment of vendor security updates when available. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and monitoring for unusual error response patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts that may leverage this vulnerability.