CVE-2018-1439 in Rational Quality Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6 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: 139589.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6 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 and enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's web interface. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web UI, creating an opening for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a trusted session environment where users have legitimate access to the application, making it easier for attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When a user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised content within the RQM application, the injected JavaScript code executes in the victim's browser, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data that would otherwise be protected by the application's authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the quality management processes that RQM supports. Attackers could manipulate test results, alter project data, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive quality assurance information that organizations rely upon for compliance and audit purposes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where RQM is used for managing critical software development processes and where the disclosure of credentials within a trusted session could lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input that gets stored or reflected in the application's web interface, and the IBM X-Force ID 139589 indicates that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild, making it a significant concern for organizations using these specific versions of the software.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and conducting thorough security assessments of their RQM deployments. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should review access controls and session management practices to minimize the impact of any successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls throughout the application lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for users to recognize potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for Scripting, highlighting the need for organizations to monitor for suspicious script execution patterns and implement appropriate defensive measures against persistent threats that may exploit such weaknesses in enterprise quality management systems.