CVE-2017-1245 in Rational Software Architect Design Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Software Architect Design Manager 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: 124580.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
IBM Rational Software Architect Design Manager versions 5.0 and 6.0 contains 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 components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization or encoding. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is a fundamental weakness in web applications that enables attackers to execute scripts in the context of other users' sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to hijack user sessions and steal sensitive credentials within trusted sessions. When a victim user interacts with a maliciously crafted input that triggers the XSS flaw, the injected JavaScript code executes in the victim's browser within the context of the legitimate application. This session hijacking capability allows attackers to potentially access confidential project data, design specifications, and user authentication tokens. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components where user input is processed and displayed, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through various vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, or even user-generated content that gets rendered on the page.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a significant threat within the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 - Phishing technique category, where attackers can craft malicious web pages to harvest credentials and session tokens. The IBM X-Force ID 124580 indicates the severity and recognition of this specific flaw within the security community. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Rational Software Architect Design Manager is used for collaborative software design and architecture management, as these systems often contain sensitive intellectual property and business-critical design information. Organizations using these versions should consider the potential for data exfiltration and unauthorized access to design management systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's web interface. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing and ensuring that any data rendered in the UI is properly encoded to prevent script execution. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and establish proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vendor likely released remediation measures for this specific vulnerability. The implementation of web application firewalls and regular security scanning of the application interface can further reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider conducting security awareness training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom extensions or modifications to the platform.