CVE-2018-1549 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 5.0 through 5.0.2 and 6.0 through 6.0.5 are vulnerable to HTTP response splitting attacks, potentially leading to various security risks.

Understanding CVE-2018-1549

Versions 5.0 through 5.0.2 and 6.0 through 6.0.5 of IBM Rational Quality Manager have a security vulnerability that makes them susceptible to HTTP response splitting attacks.

What is CVE-2018-1549?

Vulnerability in IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 5.0 through 5.0.2 and 6.0 through 6.0.5
Allows remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability using a specially-crafted URL
Can lead to split responses, enabling further attacks like web cache poisoning and cross-site scripting

The Impact of CVE-2018-1549

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Base Score: 5.4 (Medium Severity)
Exploitation may result in unauthorized access to sensitive information

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1549

IBM Rational Quality Manager versions 5.0 through 5.0.2 and 6.0 through 6.0.5 are affected by a security vulnerability that allows HTTP response splitting attacks.

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerable versions: 5.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 6.0.3, 6.0.4, 6.0.5
Vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate server responses using crafted URLs

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Rational Quality Manager
Vendor: IBM
Versions: 5.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 6.0.3, 6.0.4, 6.0.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers exploit the vulnerability by using a specially-crafted URL
Clicking the URL triggers the server to generate a split response, opening doors for further attacks

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Apply official fixes provided by IBM
Monitor for any unusual activities on the affected systems Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly update and patch software to prevent vulnerabilities
Educate users on safe browsing practices
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent attacks
Conduct regular security audits and assessments
Stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices
Collaborate with security experts for in-depth security assessments

Patching and Updates

IBM has released official fixes to address the vulnerability
Ensure all affected versions of IBM Rational Quality Manager are updated with the latest patches