CVE-2005-3498 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 5.0.x before 5.02.15, 5.1.x before 5.1.1.8, and 6.x before fixpack V6.0.2.5, when session trace is enabled, records a full URL including the queryString in the trace logs when an application encodes a URL, which could allow attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
This vulnerability exists in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to specific fixpacks where session trace logging functionality inadvertently captures complete URLs including query strings in trace logs. The flaw occurs when applications utilize URL encoding mechanisms and session trace is enabled, creating a situation where sensitive information contained within URL query parameters becomes exposed in log files. This represents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that could potentially expose authentication tokens, user credentials, or other confidential data passed through URL parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the server's trace logging mechanism not properly sanitizing URL components when session tracing is active. When applications encode URLs containing sensitive query parameters, the WebSphere server logs these complete URLs in its trace files without adequately filtering or redacting the query string portions. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding data sanitization and log management, as it creates persistent storage of potentially sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically affects IBM WebSphere versions 5.0.x before 5.02.15, 5.1.x before 5.1.1.8, and 6.x before fixpack V6.0.2.5, indicating a widespread issue across multiple major releases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable various attack vectors including credential theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation. Attackers who gain access to these trace logs can extract sensitive information such as session identifiers, authentication tokens, or personal user data that was transmitted through URL parameters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through log data, and could facilitate attacks categorized under ATT&CK technique T1569.002 for credential access. The exposure of query string parameters in logs creates a persistent attack surface that remains viable even after the initial request has been processed, as these logs may be retained for extended periods.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including disabling session trace logging when not actively debugging, implementing proper log sanitization procedures, and applying the appropriate IBM fixpacks to address the issue. The recommended approach involves configuring the WebSphere server to either disable trace logging entirely or to implement custom logging filters that redact query string information from URL components. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive log reviews to identify and remove any existing sensitive information that may have been captured in trace logs. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in application server environments, particularly when dealing with user-supplied data that may contain sensitive information.