CVE-2017-1653 in Jazz Foundation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Jazz Foundation (IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management 6.0.x) 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: 133268.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1653 affects IBM Jazz Foundation, which is part of IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management version 6.0.x. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the web-based user interface. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user input, specifically in how it processes and renders data within the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not properly sanitized before being displayed to other users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs within a collaborative platform where multiple users interact, creating opportunities for widespread exploitation and data compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IBM Jazz Foundation web application. When user-provided data is rendered in the web UI without proper sanitization, the application becomes susceptible to XSS attacks. The flaw typically manifests when user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into HTML output without appropriate escaping or encoding. This allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user input before including it in web page output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can lead to significant security breaches within trusted sessions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information from authenticated users. The collaborative nature of IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management makes this particularly dangerous, as compromised user sessions could provide access to sensitive project data, development artifacts, and intellectual property. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including reflected XSS attacks where malicious payloads are embedded in URLs or form submissions, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation measures.
Organizations utilizing IBM Jazz Foundation should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent malicious script injection. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping for all user-controllable data rendered in web interfaces, as outlined in the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the application context. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vendor has acknowledged this vulnerability and provided remediation measures. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in user input that may indicate attempted XSS exploitation, and access controls should be reviewed to minimize potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in collaborative software environments where multiple users interact with shared data resources.