CVE-2017-1462 in Rhapsody DM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rhapsody DM 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: 128461.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
IBM Rhapsody DM versions 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 rendering it in the web interface. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through crafted input fields or parameters that are then executed within the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI component of the IBM Rhapsody DM software, which is used for requirements management and model-based systems engineering. When exploited, this XSS vulnerability can lead to session hijacking and credential theft, as attackers can steal session cookies or other authentication tokens from unsuspecting users who interact with the compromised interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform more sophisticated attacks within the trusted session context of the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture user credentials, modify application functionality, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted environment where users have legitimate access to sensitive system resources. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input that gets stored or reflected in the web application, then executed when other users view the affected page or interact with the compromised content. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can affect multiple users simultaneously and potentially escalate to full system compromise depending on the privileges of the compromised accounts.
Organizations using IBM Rhapsody DM 5.0 and 6.0 should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent JavaScript code execution in user-supplied data. Security controls should enforce strict sanitization of all user inputs and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities within the application. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be employed to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically JavaScript, and represents a common vector for credential theft and session hijacking attacks. The IBM X-Force ID 128461 indicates this vulnerability was recognized and tracked by IBM's security team, emphasizing the need for proactive patch management and security awareness training for users interacting with the affected software environment.