CVE-2018-1827 in Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management 6.0 through 6.0.6.1 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: 150430.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1827 affects IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management versions 6.0 through 6.0.6.1, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of the web-based user interface. This vulnerability resides within the application's input validation mechanisms, specifically in how the system processes and renders user-supplied data within the web environment. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through carefully crafted input fields or parameters that are subsequently executed in the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which categorizes it as a cross-site scripting weakness where the application fails to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content. This particular implementation allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by introducing executable code that can intercept and exfiltrate sensitive information from the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a significant risk for credential disclosure and session hijacking within trusted environments. When authenticated users interact with the vulnerable application, the malicious JavaScript code becomes part of the legitimate web page content and executes in the same security context as the legitimate user. This creates opportunities for attackers to capture session cookies, steal login credentials, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it targets the web interface rather than requiring direct system access or administrative privileges. The IBM X-Force ID 150430 confirms this vulnerability's severity and provides additional context for security professionals in identifying and mitigating the threat. Attackers can leverage this weakness through various vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even social engineering techniques that prompt users to click on malicious links within the application's interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1827 should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management versions, with administrators implementing the vendor-provided security updates as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious input patterns that could exploit this vulnerability, while implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution within the application's context. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1531 for credential access through session manipulation. Additional defensive measures include input validation and sanitization at all entry points, regular security testing of web interfaces, and user education regarding suspicious link clicks and unusual application behavior. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise collaboration platforms from sophisticated web-based attacks that can compromise entire organizational security postures through single-point vulnerabilities.