CVE-2017-1559 in Rational
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple IBM Rational products could disclose sensitive information by an attacker that intercepts vulnerable requests. IBM X-Force ID: 131758.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1559 affects multiple IBM Rational products and represents a sensitive data disclosure issue that occurs when attackers intercept network traffic containing vulnerable requests. This weakness allows unauthorized parties to gain access to confidential information that should remain protected within the system's communication channels. The vulnerability stems from insufficient protection mechanisms during request transmission, creating opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks and network packet interception scenarios.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of sensitive data within the communication protocols used by IBM Rational products. When requests are transmitted across networks, certain information elements are not adequately encrypted or protected, making them susceptible to interception by malicious actors. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure weaknesses that can be exploited through network-level attacks, potentially exposing authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other confidential data elements. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of secure communication practices and inadequate protection of sensitive information in transit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to affected systems. An attacker who successfully intercepts vulnerable requests can potentially reconstruct session information, obtain authentication credentials, or access restricted resources within the Rational product environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations using these tools, particularly in enterprise settings where sensitive development data, intellectual property, and proprietary information may be transmitted through the affected systems. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring local access to the target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1559 should focus on implementing robust encryption mechanisms and secure communication protocols across all affected IBM Rational products. Organizations should ensure that all network traffic is protected through strong encryption standards such as TLS 1.2 or higher, and that proper certificate management practices are implemented. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized interception attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exposure points. The remediation process should include applying official IBM patches and updates, implementing network access controls, and establishing proper security monitoring procedures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1041 for data compression and T1071 for application layer protocols, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of the security implications.