CVE-2018-1603 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: 143793.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
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 malicious JavaScript code through user-controllable input fields. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise user sessions. This particular vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1531 Credential Access: Use of Web Shell, as it provides a vector for attackers to establish persistent access and extract sensitive information. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, modify application functionality, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive test data and quality management information.
The operational implications of this cross-site scripting vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing IBM Rational Quality Manager in their software development lifecycle processes. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially allowing them to access sensitive information such as authentication tokens, personal data, and test artifacts stored within the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects authenticated users, meaning that an attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can operate within the application with the privileges of the compromised user. This could lead to unauthorized modifications of test cases, manipulation of quality metrics, or access to confidential project information that would otherwise be restricted to authorized personnel. The vulnerability also presents a risk to the integrity of the entire quality management process, as attackers could potentially alter test results or inject malicious code into test environments. Organizations using these versions of IBM Rational Quality Manager face significant risk of data breaches and operational disruption, particularly in environments where sensitive intellectual property or compliance-related information is managed through the application.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation efforts should focus on upgrading to patched versions of IBM Rational Quality Manager, as IBM has released security updates specifically addressing this cross-site scripting vulnerability. The patching process should include thorough testing to ensure that the updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing workflows or integrations. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation and output encoding controls at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to user session manipulation or unusual data access patterns. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security awareness training for developers and administrators to prevent the introduction of similar vulnerabilities in custom extensions or modifications to the application. The implementation of proper access controls and session management mechanisms will help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the broader application ecosystem. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls throughout the software development lifecycle, as described in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.