CVE-2019-4602 in Quality Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Quality Manager (RQM) 6.02, 6.06, and 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: 168293.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
IBM Quality Manager versions 6.02, 6.06, and 6.0.6.1 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability stems from inadequate 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 specifically affects the web user interface where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper sanitization in the web application's input handling mechanisms. When legitimate users interact with the affected RQM interface, they may inadvertently execute malicious javascript code that was injected by an attacker. This occurs because the application fails to properly encode or escape user-supplied data before displaying it in web pages, creating a classic cross-site scripting vector. The vulnerability can be exploited through various input points within the web interface, including but not limited to comments, test case descriptions, or any user-editable fields that are subsequently rendered in the browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to session hijacking and credential theft within trusted sessions. When an attacker successfully injects javascript code, they can potentially access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that users have entered or that the application has stored. This creates a significant risk for organizations using IBM Quality Manager, as authenticated users may unknowingly execute malicious code that can capture their credentials or perform actions on their behalf. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust model of the application, allowing attackers to operate within the security boundaries of legitimate users.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the input validation and output encoding flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques such as HTML entity encoding, content security policies, and strict input validation can significantly reduce the risk. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should also be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their RQM environments to identify any potential exploitation and ensure that proper access controls and session management mechanisms are in place.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 which covers the initial access techniques through spearphishing attachments, and T1071.001 which involves application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. The security implications extend to broader organizational risks including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the compromised RQM instance exists. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify and avoid potentially malicious content that could exploit this vulnerability in the wild.