CVE-2018-1601 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: 143791.
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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 stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through user input fields or parameters. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an opening for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent threats in the OWASP Top Ten. This particular implementation allows for the execution of malicious scripts that can hijack user sessions, steal authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the trusted session context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's intended functionality and potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the system. When a user interacts with the vulnerable RQM application, the injected JavaScript code can execute within their browser session, potentially capturing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying application behavior to exfiltrate sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a trusted session environment where users have legitimate access rights, making it easier for attackers to escalate privileges or access restricted resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the application's web interface to inject scripts that persist in the application's data stores or are executed during subsequent user interactions. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and users within the same trusted environment, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's web interface. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized and validated before processing or rendering, with particular attention to HTML encoding of dynamic content to prevent script injection attacks. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be deployed immediately upon availability, as the vendor has likely addressed this specific vulnerability in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while security awareness training for users can help identify potential social engineering components of attacks targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the application's input handling mechanisms to ensure that all potential injection vectors have been addressed, with particular emphasis on validating the effectiveness of output encoding implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity related to cross-site scripting attempts, while maintaining detailed audit logs of user activities within the RQM environment to facilitate incident response and forensic analysis.