CVE-2008-0740 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) before 6.0.2 Fix Pack 25 (6.0.2.25) and 6.1 before Fix Pack 15 (6.1.0.15) writes unspecified cleartext information to http_plugin.log, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
IBM WebSphere Application Server version 6.0.2.24 and earlier, as well as version 6.1.0.14 and earlier, contain a security vulnerability that exposes cleartext sensitive information in the http_plugin.log file. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, specifically where sensitive data is inadvertently written to log files in an unencrypted format. The flaw exists in the web server plugin component of the application server, which is responsible for handling communication between the web server and the application server. When the http_plugin.log file is generated, it contains unspecified cleartext information that could include authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other confidential data that should remain protected. This represents a significant security risk as local users with access to the file system can directly read this sensitive information without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the logging mechanism, where security-conscious data is not adequately masked or encrypted before being written to persistent storage.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in secure logging practices and data sanitization. The http_plugin.log file serves as a communication channel between the web server and application server, and typically contains information about requests, responses, and potentially authentication details. When sensitive information is logged in cleartext, it violates fundamental security principles of data protection and access control. The vulnerability has been categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a failure to properly protect sensitive data within application components. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where local adversaries can access the log file through standard file system operations, potentially gaining access to authentication credentials, session management data, or other confidential information that could be used for further attacks or privilege escalation. The impact is particularly concerning because the vulnerability affects the core web server plugin functionality that handles all incoming web requests, meaning that every interaction with the application server could potentially expose sensitive information to local users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their privileges and conduct more sophisticated attacks. Local users who can read the http_plugin.log file may obtain session tokens, authentication credentials, or other sensitive data that could be used to impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to protected resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which covers "Data Staged: Local Data Staging," where adversaries gather sensitive information from local system files. The risk is heightened because the log file is typically stored in a location accessible to local users, and the cleartext nature of the information means that no additional cryptographic attacks or decoding techniques are required to access the sensitive data. Organizations using affected versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server should consider this vulnerability as a critical security concern, especially in environments where local user access is not strictly controlled. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege, as sensitive information is stored with inadequate access controls. Remediation efforts should focus on upgrading to the patched versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server, specifically Fix Pack 25 for version 6.0.2 and Fix Pack 15 for version 6.1.0.15, which address the insecure logging practices by implementing proper data sanitization and encryption mechanisms for sensitive information within the logging components. Additionally, administrators should implement regular log file monitoring and access controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive log files.