Security Bulletin
Summary
IBM Rational ClearQuest Web is vulnerable to brute-force attack.
Vulnerability Details
CVE ID: CVE-2014-3101
Description: IBM Rational ClearQuest (CQ) could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by an error in the login form. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability using brute-force techniques to gain access to a user's account.
CVSS Base Score: 4.3
CVSS Temporal Score: See https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/94268 for the current score
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N)
Affected Products and Versions
ClearQuest version | Status |
8.0.1 through 8.0.1.4 | Affected |
8.0 through 8.0.0.11 | Affected |
7.1.2 through 7.1.2.14 | Affected |
7.1.0.x, 7.1.1.x (all versions and fix packs) | Affected |
Remediation/Fixes
Customers have been able to choose to use LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) with a password policy (lock out the account after several login failures) to prevent brute-force attacks specifically for LDAP authenticated CQ accounts. Customers can implement this on any version of ClearQuest with LDAP authenticated user accounts. However, not all accounts are typically LDAP-enabled.
As of ClearQuest Fix Pack 6 (8.0.1.6) for 8.0.1, a built-in mechanism for brute-force protection is available that includes account lock outs. It must be configured and enabled against a Feature Level 9 upgraded database for it to take effect. For more information about this new protection feature, see How to protect your ClearQuest deployment from brute-force password attacks.
*For ClearQuest 8.0.1.5, 8.0.0.12, 7.1.2.15 and newer, a one second delay is added after the login failure. This is intended to assist in delaying an attacker while giving the ClearQuest administrator more time to detect the attack and take action. This delay cannot completely prevent a brute-force attack, and customers are strongly recommended to upgrade to ClearQuest 8.0.1.6 with database Feature Level 9, or newer so they can configure and use the built-in brute-force protection. Customers must make their own determination as to the risk any security vulnerability applies to their business organization's environment and tolerance levels.
Note: ClearQuest database Feature Level upgrades have the benefit of permanently blocking earlier product versions that do not support that Feature Level. To obtain a list of supported Feature Levels in your client, run the installutil showfeaturelevels command.
Additional enhancements have been provided, by upgrading to one of the following releases or higher:
Affected Versions | Applying the fix | Enhacement provided: |
8.0.1.x | Install Rational ClearQuest Fix Pack 6 (8.0.1.6) for 8.0.1 |
|
8.0.0.x | Install Rational ClearQuest Fix Pack 12 (8.0.0.12) for 8.0 |
|
7.1.2.x | Install Rational ClearQuest Fix Pack 15 (7.1.2.15) for 7.1.2 |
|
7.1.1.x | Install Rational ClearQuest Fix Pack 15 (7.1.2.15) for 7.1.2 Note: 7.1.2.15 inter-operates with all 7.1.1.x systems and can be installed in the same way as 7.1.1.x fix packs. |
|
Workarounds and Mitigations
- See above regarding usage of LDAP with a lockout password policy for LDAP-enabled CQ user accounts. This will not protect CQ user accounts that are not LDAP-enabled.
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Acknowledgement
None
Change History
* 17 September 2014: Original version published.
* 18 March 2015: Update for built-in brute-force feature.
* 7 April 2015: Update with clarifications on brute-force vs. 1 second delay vs. LDAP with password policy.
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.
Internal Use Only
PSIRT # 1858 RECORD # 39773
The current solution was agreed by Security team as an improvement for all our streams. The total solution is too complex to be delivered to all the streams. The total solution will only be delivered to 8.0.1.x stream in 2014D.
Note: Originally we told customers to upgrade to Rational ClearQuest Fix Pack 5 (8.0.1.5) for 8.0.1 which had the same delay added to it. Now we tell customers to upgrade to 8.0.1.6 which has built-in brute-force protection.
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Document Information
Modified date:
29 September 2018
UID
swg21682946