CVE-2009-1953 in FileNet Content Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM FileNet Content Manager 4.0, 4.0.1, and 4.5, as used in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) and Oracle BEA WebLogic Application Server, when the CE Web Services listener has a certain WSEAF configuration, does not properly restrict use of a cached Subject, which allows remote attackers to obtain access with the credentials of a recently authenticated user via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1953 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in IBM FileNet Content Manager versions 4.0, 4.0.1, and 4.5 when deployed on IBM WebSphere Application Server or Oracle BEA WebLogic Application Server. This issue stems from improper handling of cached Subject objects within the CE Web Services listener component, specifically when utilizing WSEAF (Web Services Enhanced Application Framework) configuration. The flaw enables remote attackers to leverage credentials from recently authenticated users, creating a significant security risk that undermines the authentication mechanisms of the affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient restriction of cached Subject objects within the web services framework. When the CE Web Services listener operates with specific WSEAF configurations, it maintains cached authentication contexts that should be properly invalidated or restricted after use. However, the implementation fails to adequately enforce access controls on these cached credentials, allowing unauthorized parties to potentially reuse or access the cached Subject information. This behavior creates a window of opportunity where attackers can exploit the cached authentication state to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that typically involve manipulating the web services communication channels to access the cached authentication context.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1953 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform privileged operations within the FileNet Content Manager environment. Since the cached Subject contains authentication credentials from recently authenticated users, successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive content, modify documents, create or delete user accounts, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on FileNet Content Manager for document management and content services, as it could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of their content repositories. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, reviewing and tightening access controls on web services endpoints, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The mitigation strategies should align with established security frameworks such as the CWE-284 principle of least privilege, ensuring that cached authentication contexts are properly managed and restricted. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of web services usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls including proper session management and authentication validation. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their FileNet Content Manager deployments to identify and remediate similar configuration issues that might exist in their environments.