CVE-2001-1189 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Websphere Application Server 3.5.3 and earlier stores a password in cleartext in the sas.server.props file, which allows local users to obtain the passwords via a JSP script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1189 represents a critical security flaw in IBM Websphere Application Server version 3.5.3 and earlier releases. This issue stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the server configuration files, specifically the sas.server.props file that contains sensitive password information in an unencrypted format. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices that was prevalent in early application server implementations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the storage of administrative and service account passwords in plain text format within the sas.server.props configuration file. This cleartext storage method violates established security principles and creates an exploitable condition where local users with access to the file system can directly read the password values. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the presence of JSP (Java Server Pages) scripts that can be executed on the server, allowing attackers to leverage the cleartext passwords for unauthorized access to the application server and potentially underlying systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables lateral movement within the network infrastructure and provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate application server configurations, access protected resources, and potentially compromise the entire application stack. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that remains active as long as the vulnerable version of the application server is operational, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple applications depend on the same server infrastructure.
Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on unsecured credentials stored in files, and represents a classic example of insufficient cryptographic protection for sensitive data. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including immediate patching of the application server to a supported version, removal of cleartext passwords from configuration files, and implementation of proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of how early application server implementations failed to incorporate proper security measures for credential management, highlighting the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in software development lifecycle processes.