CVE-2018-1913 in DOORS Next Generation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG/RRC) 5.0 through 5.0.3 and 6.0 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: 152737.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
IBM DOORS Next Generation represents a comprehensive requirements management platform that facilitates collaborative development and traceability in software engineering environments. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1913 affects versions 5.0 through 5.0.3 and 6.0 through 6.0.6 of this enterprise-grade solution. This cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web user interface components. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-79 categories related to cross-site scripting flaws, specifically representing a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user input is directly echoed back to the browser without adequate sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can manipulate the web interface to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The operational impact extends beyond simple interface manipulation as the vulnerability enables session hijacking capabilities that can lead to complete credential compromise within trusted sessions. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL or interacts with infected content, the embedded JavaScript executes in the context of their authenticated session, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or escalate privileges within the DNG environment.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that DOORS Next Generation serves as a critical tool for managing sensitive requirements and system specifications in enterprise environments. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised user accounts, or by leveraging existing access to inject malicious content into shared workspaces. IBM's X-Force ID 152737 documentation confirms the severity of this flaw within the context of enterprise security operations. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects multiple version lines of the platform, requiring organizations to maintain awareness across their deployment environments. Organizations utilizing this platform face significant risk of unauthorized access to requirements data, potential system compromise, and possible data exfiltration through session manipulation techniques.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by IBM to address the identified XSS vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification that user input is properly sanitized and that output encoding mechanisms are functioning correctly. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining secure coding practices and regular security testing throughout the application lifecycle. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with XSS exploitation attempts, particularly around user interface interactions and session management functions. Proper security training for developers and administrators is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the platform.