CVE-2018-1604 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6 are susceptible to cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Exploiting this flaw allows unauthorized JavaScript injection, potentially leading to altered functionality and credential exposure.

Understanding CVE-2018-1604

Cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6.

What is CVE-2018-1604?

Cross-site scripting flaw identified in IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6.
Allows injection of unauthorized JavaScript code into the Web UI.
Risk of altered functionality and potential disclosure of credentials within a trusted session.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1604

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Base Score: 5.4 (Medium)
Exploit Code Maturity: High
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Temporal Score: 5.2 (Medium)

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1604

Cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6.

Vulnerability Description

Allows users to inject unauthorized JavaScript code into the Web UI.
Risk of altering intended functionality and disclosing credentials.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0, 5.01, 5.02, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 6.0.3, 6.0.4, 6.0.5, and 6.0.6.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting the vulnerability enables users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Apply official fixes provided by IBM.
Regularly monitor for security advisories from IBM. Long-Term Security Practices:
Implement secure coding practices to prevent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and recognizing potential threats.
Keep systems and software up to date with the latest patches and updates.
Collaborate with security experts to enhance overall security posture.
Stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Consider implementing web application firewalls and security controls.
Regularly review and update security policies and procedures.
Conduct security training for developers and IT staff.
Perform regular security audits and risk assessments.
Engage in threat intelligence sharing and information exchange.

Patching and Updates

IBM has released official fixes for the cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager (RQM) versions 5.0 through 5.02 and 6.0 through 6.0.6.