CVE-2018-1440 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: 139595.
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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 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 arbitrary JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute in the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing JavaScript payload that gets stored or reflected within the application's web pages. When other users view these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the application's security model. This cross-site scripting vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's intended behavior and can result in session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the trusted session context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, modify application data, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects the trusted session environment where users have legitimate access rights to the Rational Quality Manager application, making the attack vector more potent. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for account access via session hijacking, representing both execution and privilege escalation capabilities.
Organizations using affected IBM Rational Quality Manager versions face significant security risks as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges or authentication. The attack surface includes any user input field within the web interface that does not properly validate or sanitize content. IBM has addressed this vulnerability through patches and updates to the affected versions, but organizations must ensure timely deployment of these security fixes. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest IBM security patches, implementing proper input validation controls, and conducting regular security assessments of the application's web components. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.