CVE-2017-1101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 4.0 to 6.0 allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code, potentially compromising user credentials.

Understanding CVE-2017-1101

This CVE involves a security flaw in IBM Rational Quality Manager that enables the insertion of harmful scripts into the Web UI, leading to potential credential exposure.

What is CVE-2017-1101?

Identified as a Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Quality Manager (RQM) versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0.
Exploiting this flaw allows the injection of JavaScript code into the Web UI, altering system functionality.
The vulnerability was discovered by IBM X-Force with the ID 120662.

The Impact of CVE-2017-1101

Attackers can manipulate the Web UI to execute unauthorized actions, potentially compromising sensitive information like user credentials.
Credentials may be exposed during trusted sessions, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-1101

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 4.0 to 6.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected versions include 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.3, 4.0.0.1, 4.0.0.2, 4.0.2, 4.0.4, 4.0.5, 4.0.6, 5.0, 4.0.7, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, and 6.0.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the Web UI, altering system behavior.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-1101 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by IBM promptly.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites.
Implement content security policies to mitigate XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for developers to write secure code and prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from IBM to address the XSS vulnerability in Rational Quality Manager.