CVE-2021-39043 in Jazz Team Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/20/2022
IBM Jazz Team Server 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 is vulnerable to stored 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: 214032.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-39043 affects IBM Jazz Team Server versions 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security integrity of the web-based collaborative platform. This vulnerability resides within the application's web user interface where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to other users. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists within the application's database or storage mechanisms, making it a stored XSS vulnerability rather than a reflected one. The attack vector exploits the server's failure to implement adequate input validation and output encoding controls, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of other users' browser sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the web-based collaboration features of IBM Jazz Team Server, which serves as a central hub for software development teams to manage work items, track progress, and collaborate on projects within the IBM Rational Team Concert environment. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on the platform for development lifecycle management, as it undermines the trust model that should exist between legitimate users and the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious JavaScript code and submits it through the application's user interface, typically via work item descriptions, comments, or other editable fields that support rich text input. The application fails to sanitize this input properly, allowing the malicious code to be stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected content. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially allowing them to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information that could be transmitted to the attacker's server. The attack can be particularly effective because the application operates within a trusted session context, meaning that the malicious code executes with the privileges and permissions of the victim user, potentially providing access to additional resources or data that would otherwise be protected. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require proper input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to potentially compromise the entire development environment and collaborative workflow of organizations using IBM Jazz Team Server. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive project information, development artifacts, and potentially escalate their privileges within the application. The credential disclosure aspect of this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations that rely on the platform for managing development workflows, as stolen session tokens could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users and access restricted functionality. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the application's data by allowing malicious code to alter the user experience and potentially redirect users to malicious websites. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to source code repositories, work item tracking data, and other development artifacts that could be exploited for competitive advantage or further attacks. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the impact can compound over time as more users are exposed to the malicious code, potentially affecting numerous individuals within the organization's development team. This vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the initial compromise may provide attackers with a foothold to explore other systems within the organization's network. The attack can be particularly damaging in environments where the Jazz Team Server is integrated with other enterprise systems, as it could potentially enable lateral movement attacks or privilege escalation scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with applying the latest security patches provided by IBM as soon as they become available. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to properly sanitize all user input through comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before being stored or rendered to other users. Security teams should implement content security policies that restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit the sources from which scripts can be loaded, effectively reducing the attack surface for XSS vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application and surrounding systems, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security gaps in the development environment. Organizations should also consider implementing user access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should include regular security training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code and ensure proper secure coding practices are followed throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, maintaining comprehensive audit logs and implementing automated security scanning tools can help identify potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning capabilities for security teams to respond to incidents. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of continuous security monitoring and the need for organizations to maintain up-to-date security measures across all components of their development infrastructure.