CVE-2007-1944 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Java Message Service (JMS) in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) before 6.1.0.7 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors involving the "double release [of] a bytebuffer input stream," possibly a double free vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1944 represents a critical denial of service weakness within IBM WebSphere Application Server's Java Message Service implementation. This flaw specifically affects versions prior to 6.1.0.7 and manifests through improper handling of byte buffer input streams during message processing operations. The vulnerability stems from a condition where a byte buffer input stream undergoes what is termed a "double release" operation, creating potential for system instability and service disruption. The technical nature of this issue places it squarely within the realm of memory management errors that can be exploited to compromise system availability.
The underlying technical flaw involves improper resource management within the JMS component where a byte buffer input stream is released twice during processing operations. This double release scenario creates a potential for heap corruption or system crashes when the memory management subsystem attempts to process the already-released memory resource a second time. The vulnerability is classified as a potential double free condition under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically mapping to CWE-415 which addresses double free vulnerabilities. Such memory corruption issues can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, and complete service unavailability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise the overall stability of enterprise messaging infrastructure. Organizations relying on WebSphere Application Server for mission-critical messaging operations face significant risk when exposed to this vulnerability, as attackers can exploit it to disrupt message processing workflows and potentially cause cascading failures within the application server environment. The attack vector remains unspecified in the original CVE description, suggesting that multiple pathways could lead to triggering the double release condition, making it particularly challenging to defend against and potentially exploitable in various operational contexts. This vulnerability affects the fundamental messaging capabilities that many enterprise applications depend upon for reliable communication between distributed components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application to IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1.0.7 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper resource management within the JMS implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing messaging workflows. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their application server infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in enterprise middleware components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers resource exhaustion attacks targeting system availability.