CVE-2018-1692 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: 145583.
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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-controllable input fields. The flaw specifically 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 sessions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly maps to the well-documented cross-site scripting attack vector. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique classified under T1059.007 for Scripting, where adversaries leverage web applications to execute malicious code in victim browsers. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution, as the vulnerability can be exploited to hijack user sessions and potentially access sensitive credentials stored within trusted browser sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing IBM Rational Quality Manager, as it creates a pathway for attackers to compromise authenticated user sessions and extract confidential information. When a malicious user injects JavaScript code through vulnerable input fields, the executed scripts can access cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive data that the browser maintains for the authenticated user. This session hijacking capability allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially access restricted functionality within the RQM environment. The vulnerability affects the application's web UI components where user-generated content is displayed, making any field that accepts text input susceptible to exploitation. Organizations using these specific versions of IBM RQM face a heightened risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to quality management processes, particularly when users have administrative privileges within the system. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be exploited through various input points within the web interface, including but not limited to test case descriptions, defect reports, and comment fields.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's web components. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, with particular attention to HTML encoding of dynamic content. The recommended approach involves implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. IBM has released patches and fixes for this vulnerability that should be immediately applied to all affected versions of Rational Quality Manager. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious script injection patterns in application logs and user activity monitoring to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that similar weaknesses do not exist in other components of the RQM environment. The remediation process should also include user education about safe browsing practices and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or content within the application. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and session management controls to reduce the impact should exploitation occur despite preventive measures.