CVE-2021-20520 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-20520 affecting IBM products like Engineering Workflow Management and Rational Team Concert. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
IBM Jazz Foundation Products are vulnerable to cross-site scripting, potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. The vulnerability affects multiple IBM products including Engineering Workflow Management, Engineering Lifecycle Optimization, Rational Team Concert, and Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager.
Understanding CVE-2021-20520
This CVE details a cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Jazz Foundation Products, allowing the injection of arbitrary JavaScript code into the Web UI, which can manipulate intended functionality and compromise user credentials.
What is CVE-2021-20520?
IBM Jazz Foundation Products such as Engineering Workflow Management and Rational Team Concert are susceptible to a cross-site scripting flaw. This security issue enables attackers to insert malicious JavaScript code into the Web UI, potentially resulting in the exposure of sensitive user credentials.
The Impact of CVE-2021-20520
The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk, with a CVSS base score of 5.4. Exploitation of this vulnerability requires low privileges but can lead to the alteration of session integrity and disclosure of confidential information within affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-20520
The vulnerability is classified as CVSSv3.0 with a base score of 5.4 and a medium severity rating. The exploit code maturity is high, requiring minimal user interaction while changing the scope of affected systems.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows for cross-site scripting attacks within IBM Jazz Foundation Products, potentially manipulating the intended functionality of the Web UI to expose sensitive user credentials.
Affected Systems and Versions
Impacted systems include Engineering Workflow Management versions 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2, Engineering Lifecycle Optimization versions 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2, Rational Team Concert versions 6.0.2, 6.0.6, and 6.0.6.1, and Rational Engineering Lifecycle Manager versions 6.0.2, 6.0.6, and 6.0.6.1.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with low privileges can exploit the vulnerability by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into the Web UI, thereby compromising session integrity and potentially disclosing confidential information.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to implement immediate and long-term security measures to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-20520.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations using affected IBM products should apply official fixes and updates provided by IBM to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, users should be cautious while interacting with the Web UI to avoid executing potentially malicious scripts.
Long-Term Security Practices
To enhance overall security posture, organizations should regularly monitor for security advisories from IBM and other sources, conduct security assessments, and educate users about safe browsing practices to prevent XSS attacks.
Patching and Updates
IBM has released official fixes for the affected products. Users are advised to promptly apply patches and updates provided by IBM to remediate the vulnerability and enhance the security of their systems.