CVE-2017-1238 in Quality Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Quality Manager (RQM) 5.0.x and 6.0 through 6.0.5 are 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: 124356.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
IBM Quality Manager versions 5.0.x and 6.0 through 6.0.5 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through client-side code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users interact with the RQM web interface and inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious JavaScript code embedded in input fields or parameters. This cross-site scripting flaw specifically targets the application's web UI components where user-generated content is rendered without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information transmitted within the trusted session. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within the context of authenticated users, making it more dangerous than typical client-side attacks.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it creates a pathway for persistent threats that can compromise the integrity of the entire quality management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive test data, manipulate quality metrics, or even gain unauthorized access to underlying system resources. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the RQM application, making it a widespread concern for organizations that rely on IBM's quality management solutions. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which describes how attackers can use JavaScript to execute malicious code in web browsers.
Organizations using affected IBM Quality Manager versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security updates to address the vulnerability. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, and ensuring all user inputs are properly sanitized before rendering in the web interface. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and session management controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data and quality management information.