CVE-2009-0437 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Installation Factory installation process for IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.0.2 on Windows, when WAS is registered as a Windows service, allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the logs/instconfigifwas6.log log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0437 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server version 6.0.2 installation process on Windows platforms. This issue specifically manifests during the Installation Factory installation procedure where the software creates a Windows service registration that subsequently generates log files containing sensitive data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and logging mechanisms that fail to properly secure sensitive information during the installation lifecycle.
The technical flaw involves the creation of the instconfigifwas6.log file within the logs directory structure during the WebSphere Application Server installation process. This log file contains credentials and configuration details that are typically restricted in nature but are written to disk with insufficient permissions or access controls. When the installation process registers WebSphere as a Windows service, it executes with elevated privileges and creates this log file in a location accessible to local users who may not possess the necessary authorization to access such sensitive information. The vulnerability exists because the logging mechanism does not properly sanitize or protect sensitive data elements, allowing unauthorized local access to potentially critical system information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious security risk for organizations deploying IBM WebSphere Application Server 6.0.2 on Windows systems. Local users who gain access to the system can directly read the sensitive information contained within the log file, potentially obtaining administrative credentials, database connection strings, or other configuration details that could facilitate further attacks. This information disclosure could enable attackers to escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to backend systems, or perform additional malicious activities within the network environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the installation process when the system is in a vulnerable state and the attacker has legitimate access to the system through local user accounts.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. According to the CWE taxonomy, this represents a CWE-200: Information Exposure, which falls under the broader category of information leakage vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1083: File and Directory Discovery and potentially T1552: Unsecured Credentials, as attackers can discover and extract sensitive information from the system. Organizations should consider implementing proper access controls on log directories, ensuring that sensitive information is either not logged or properly encrypted and protected. The recommended mitigations include restricting file permissions on the log directory, implementing log rotation with proper access controls, and ensuring that sensitive data is not stored in plaintext within installation logs. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar logging vulnerabilities across their infrastructure, particularly in legacy systems like WebSphere Application Server 6.0.2 that may not receive ongoing security updates.