CVE-2019-4059 in Rational ClearCase
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational ClearCase 1.0.0.0 GIT connector does not sufficiently protect the document database password. An attacker could obtain the password and gain unauthorized access to the document database. IBM X-Force ID: 156583.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4059 affects IBM Rational ClearCase 1.0.0.0 GIT connector, representing a critical security flaw in how the system handles authentication credentials for document databases. This issue falls under the category of weak credential protection mechanisms, specifically exposing database passwords through inadequate security measures within the integration component between ClearCase and GIT systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic protection of sensitive authentication data, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to backend document repositories that store critical enterprise information.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of database passwords within the GIT connector module, where authentication credentials are stored or transmitted without adequate encryption or obfuscation. This weakness allows an attacker with access to the system to extract the database password through various means including direct memory inspection, configuration file analysis, or network traffic interception. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables privilege escalation and unauthorized data access without requiring additional attack vectors, as the attacker can leverage the exposed credentials to directly access the document database. This flaw aligns with CWE-522 which addresses insufficiently protected credentials and represents a classic example of poor secure coding practices in credential management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, and system compromise. Organizations using IBM Rational ClearCase with GIT integration face significant risk as attackers can exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to their document databases containing sensitive business information, source code repositories, and other critical data assets. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of enterprise data, potentially leading to compliance violations, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform data exfiltration, modify critical documents, or establish backdoor access points within the organization's information technology infrastructure, making it a high-priority security concern for enterprises relying on Rational ClearCase for version control and collaboration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate credential rotation and implementation of stronger authentication mechanisms within the ClearCase GIT connector. Organizations must ensure that all database passwords are properly encrypted both at rest and in transit, implementing industry-standard encryption protocols such as TLS 1.3 for network communications. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-provided security patches, configuring secure credential storage mechanisms, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected system components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential exposure events. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their integrated development environments and implement principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of credential compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure credential management practices and highlights the need for regular security audits of integrated systems to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in enterprise collaboration platforms.