CVE-2020-4295 in DOORS Next Generation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG/RRC) 6.0.2, 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, and 7.0 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: 176408.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4295 affects IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG/RRC) versions 6.0.2, 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, and 7.0, representing a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that compromises the security integrity of the web-based user interface. This flaw resides in the application's handling of user input within the web UI components, where insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters creates an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and session management mechanisms of the platform, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly affects the web interface components that process user-supplied data, making it particularly dangerous within enterprise environments where DOORS Next Generation is used for requirement management and collaboration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users interact with maliciously crafted input that gets reflected back to other users within the web application interface. The flaw enables attackers to inject JavaScript payloads that can manipulate the user interface, redirect users to malicious sites, or capture sensitive information such as session cookies and authentication tokens. When a victim's browser executes the injected JavaScript code, it can access the same session context as the legitimate user, potentially leading to full account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive requirement data. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within a trusted session context, meaning the malicious code executes with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user, creating a significant risk for enterprise security. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows the patterns described in the OWASP Top Ten category A03:2021 - Injection vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on script injection within web interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-4295 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking and maintain persistent access to enterprise requirement management systems. Organizations utilizing DOORS Next Generation for critical requirement tracking, traceability, and collaboration face significant risk when this vulnerability is exploited, as it can lead to unauthorized modification of requirements, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of intellectual property. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire requirement management workflow, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate requirement specifications, alter traceability links, or inject malicious content into requirement documents that could be executed by other users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors within the requirement management environment, creating long-term access points that persist across user sessions and system restarts. This threat is particularly concerning in regulated industries where requirement management systems must maintain strict audit trails and data integrity, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate the very data that represents critical business requirements and compliance documentation. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into clicking malicious links or interacting with compromised application interfaces, making the vulnerability particularly difficult to defend against through traditional perimeter security measures.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by IBM, which address the input validation and output encoding issues within the web UI components. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter malicious traffic targeting the affected application interfaces. Enhanced user education and awareness programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability through phishing campaigns or malicious link delivery. Access controls and privilege management should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can perform actions that might trigger the vulnerability, while also implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as recommended by the MITRE ATT&CK framework's methodology for identifying and mitigating web application attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem, while also ensuring that input validation mechanisms are properly implemented across all web interfaces to prevent similar cross-site scripting issues from occurring in other components of the system.