CVE-2018-1893 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: 152157.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management versions 6.0 through 6.0.6.1 contains 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 exists at the application layer where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate the web application's behavior and potentially compromise user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, which directly violates the fundamental security principle of isolation between user contexts. When users interact with the application's web interface, particularly through forms, comments, or other input fields, the malicious script gets executed in the victim's browser, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user input before incorporating it into web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and credential theft within trusted environments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to user accounts, potentially compromising the integrity of collaborative development processes and access control mechanisms that protect sensitive project data. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on IBM Rational CLM for software development lifecycle management, where the exposure of session information could lead to unauthorized access to source code repositories, requirement documents, and other critical project assets. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 - Account Access Removal and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it enables attackers to maintain access to legitimate user accounts through session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding controls, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before rendering in web pages. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, apply the latest security patches provided by IBM, and conduct comprehensive security testing of web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses. Additionally, implementing proper session management controls, including secure cookie attributes and regular session token rotation, can help reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.