CVE-2017-1127 in Rational Doors Next Generation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational DOORS Next Generation 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2020
IBM Rational DOORS Next Generation versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web framework, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed when legitimate users view affected pages, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the application's session management. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within a trusted session context, meaning that successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information that would otherwise remain protected within the application's security boundaries.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the Rational DOORS environment. When users with valid credentials access maliciously crafted content, the injected JavaScript can intercept and exfiltrate authentication tokens, modify application behavior, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the trusted application context. This capability significantly undermines the application's security model and could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive requirements management data, potentially affecting the integrity of critical development processes and enterprise-wide security policies.
Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security updates from IBM. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, implementing strict content security policies to prevent script execution, and ensuring all user inputs undergo rigorous sanitization before processing. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader application ecosystem, while user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links and attachments remains crucial for comprehensive security posture maintenance. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for credential access, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures across multiple security domains.