CVE-2018-1975 in Rational DOORS Web Access
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational DOORS Web Access 9.5.1 through 9.5.2.9, and 9.6 through 9.6.1.9 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: 153916.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2023
IBM Rational DOORS Web Access versions 9.5.1 through 9.5.2.9 and 9.6 through 9.6.1.9 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's user interface components. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the user interface. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting attack, which occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to hijack user sessions and potentially compromise sensitive information. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data transmitted within the trusted session. This represents a significant risk to organizations using Rational DOORS Web Access for requirements management and collaboration, as the tool often handles sensitive business and technical documentation. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1539 for credentials theft through web browser artifacts and session management.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that Rational DOORS Web Access is commonly used in enterprise environments where users maintain persistent sessions with elevated privileges. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially enabling them to access other applications within the same domain or perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user. This creates a pathway for privilege escalation and data exfiltration attacks that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of requirements management data. Organizations using these vulnerable versions should implement immediate mitigations to prevent exploitation, including input validation controls, output encoding, and proper security headers.
IBM has addressed this vulnerability through security updates and patches released for affected versions. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the latest supported versions of IBM Rational DOORS Web Access where the XSS vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as Content Security Policy headers, input sanitization, and regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data in collaborative environments. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise and ensure that all web-based applications undergo regular security testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.