CVE-2018-1761 in Rational Team Concert
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Team Concert 5.0 through 6.0.6 is 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: 148615.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2023
IBM Rational Team Concert versions 5.0 through 6.0.6 contains 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 exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability falls under the category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector where the malicious payload is executed in the victim's browser when they view a specially crafted URL or interact with compromised web content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application and potentially compromise user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a pathway for credential theft and session hijacking within trusted environments. When users interact with maliciously crafted content, the injected JavaScript code can access and exfiltrate sensitive information including session cookies, authentication tokens, and potentially user credentials stored within the browser. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Rational Team Concert is used for collaborative development and project management, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to source code repositories, project data, and development artifacts. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to development environments, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire software development lifecycle. The IBM X-Force ID 148615 indicates the severity of this issue and its potential for exploitation in real-world scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the Initial Access and Credential Access phases. Attackers could use this vulnerability to establish a foothold within the development environment and subsequently escalate privileges through session hijacking techniques. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious URLs or input parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users. This vulnerability also maps to the technique of "Spearphishing with Malicious Attachment" when combined with social engineering approaches, as attackers could embed malicious payloads in project descriptions, comments, or other user-generated content within the Rational Team Concert interface. Organizations using this software should consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected versions to the latest available releases from IBM, which would address the underlying input validation and output encoding flaws. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the application of proper HTML escaping and JavaScript encoding for all user-supplied content before rendering it in the web interface. Network-level protections such as implementing strict content security policies and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of the Rational Team Concert environment should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that all security controls remain effective. User education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content within development tools is also essential for reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise development tools and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms in web applications processing user-generated content.