CVE-2017-1101 in Quality Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Quality Manager (RQM) 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 120662.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
IBM Quality Manager versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers within the same trusted session environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the IBM Quality Manager web application. When users submit data through the web interface, the application does not adequately sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable JavaScript code. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist within the application's data storage or are immediately executed upon display to other users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web user interface components where user-generated content is rendered without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire user sessions and sensitive information. When successful, the XSS attack can lead to credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to quality management data within the IBM Quality Manager environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, which would allow them to impersonate legitimate users and gain access to restricted functionality. The trusted session aspect of the vulnerability means that compromised users would be authenticated within the application, making the attack more potent and harder to detect.
Organizations utilizing IBM Quality Manager versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation enhancements, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, where adversaries use client-side scripting to execute malicious code. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect potential exploitation attempts. IBM has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these security fixes to prevent potential exploitation. The mitigation strategy should also include user education regarding suspicious web content and regular monitoring of application logs for signs of XSS attack attempts, as this vulnerability can be leveraged for broader attack chains including privilege escalation and data exfiltration.