CVE-2008-4679 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Services Security component in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.0.2 before 6.0.2.31 and 6.1 before 6.1.0.19, when Certificate Store Collections is configured to use Certificate Revocation Lists (CRL), does not call the setRevocationEnabled method on the PKIXBuilderParameters object, which prevents the "Java security method" from checking the revocation status of X.509 certificates and allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a SOAP message with a revoked certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4679 resides within IBM WebSphere Application Server's Web Services Security component, specifically affecting versions 6.0.2 prior to 6.0.2.31 and 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.19. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the certificate validation process that undermines the fundamental security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access through web services. The vulnerability manifests when Certificate Store Collections are configured to utilize Certificate Revocation Lists, which are essential mechanisms for verifying the current validity of digital certificates. The flaw occurs at the core of the certificate validation infrastructure where the system fails to properly invoke the setRevocationEnabled method on the PKIXBuilderParameters object, a critical component in the X.509 certificate validation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the incomplete configuration of the PKIX (Public Key Infrastructure X.509) validation parameters within the Java security framework. When the setRevocationEnabled method is not called on the PKIXBuilderParameters object, the underlying Java security implementation cannot properly enforce certificate revocation checking. This omission creates a scenario where the system accepts certificates as valid even when they have been revoked, effectively bypassing the security controls that should prevent access based on certificate status. The impact is particularly severe because it allows remote attackers to exploit this weakness through SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages, which are commonly used for web service communications in enterprise environments. The attack vector involves crafting malicious SOAP messages containing revoked certificates, which the vulnerable system would incorrectly accept as valid due to the missing revocation check.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on IBM WebSphere Application Server for secure web service communications. The ability to bypass access restrictions through revoked certificates opens pathways for unauthorized access to protected resources and services. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive data, perform unauthorized transactions, or escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of web service communications, as it undermines the trust model that certificate-based security relies upon. Organizations using web services with certificate-based authentication may experience unauthorized access incidents, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WebSphere Application Server is commonly deployed for mission-critical applications and where proper certificate management is essential for maintaining security boundaries.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected IBM WebSphere Application Server versions to the recommended cumulative fixes that properly implement the setRevocationEnabled method on PKIXBuilderParameters objects. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web service configurations to identify any instances where Certificate Revocation Lists are configured but not properly enforced. Security administrators should implement additional monitoring and logging of certificate validation events to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses Cryptographic Issues, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate lifecycle management processes that include regular revocation checking and proper certificate validation configuration. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be implemented as compensating controls while awaiting patch deployment to reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage from exploitation attempts.