CVE-2018-1604 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: 143794.
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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 weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages. The flaw exists in the way RQM processes and displays user-supplied data, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through web forms, parameters, or other input vectors. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application. When a user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with compromised content, the embedded JavaScript code executes in the victim's browser, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data. This creates a significant risk for organizations using RQM for quality management and testing processes, as the attacker could gain access to test data, user credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the web user interface components that handle user input, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform simultaneously.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it enables unauthorized access to user sessions and potential credential theft. The attack surface is particularly concerning because RQM is typically used in enterprise environments where users have legitimate access to sensitive quality management data and test environments. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious links, compromised user accounts, or by manipulating web parameters that are not properly sanitized. Organizations using these specific versions of RQM face a significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address this cross-site scripting vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent malicious code injection. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the quality management infrastructure. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while using RQM. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of running unsupported software versions in enterprise environments.