CVE-2019-4249 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: 159647.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management version 6.0 through 6.0.6.1 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and specifically affects the application's input validation mechanisms within the web user interface components. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's web interface through improperly sanitized input fields or parameters. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application and potentially steal session credentials or other sensitive information from authenticated users within the trusted session context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted environment of the application, making it easier for attackers to establish persistent access and conduct more sophisticated attacks.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying the application's behavior. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web UI components of the Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management system, which is designed for collaborative software development lifecycle management. This makes the attack surface particularly valuable as it targets a system used by development teams for managing critical software assets and processes. The IBM X-Force ID 159647 confirms this vulnerability's severity and provides additional context for security professionals working to remediate the issue.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Organizations using this version of Rational CLM may face compromised development processes, unauthorized access to sensitive project information, and potential exposure of intellectual property. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish a foothold within the trusted environment of the development team's collaboration platform, potentially allowing for more advanced persistent threats. Security teams must consider that this vulnerability could be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more comprehensive compromise scenarios. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 6.0.x release series, indicating a systemic issue with input validation across the affected software components. Organizations should evaluate their current deployment of Rational CLM to identify all affected systems and assess the potential for credential theft or unauthorized access to development data.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the affected IBM Rational Collaborative Lifecycle Management versions to the latest available security updates. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, web application firewalls, and enhanced monitoring of user activity within the application. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the development lifecycle management environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish clear incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation practices across all web applications to prevent similar cross-site scripting scenarios.