CVE-2009-2744 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.27 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors, related to "an error in fixpacks 6.1.0.23 and 6.1.0.25."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
IBM WebSphere Application Server version 6.1 before 2.0.27 contains an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability specifically relates to errors present in fixpacks 6.1.0.23 and 6.1.0.25, indicating that the issue was introduced or became apparent within these particular patch releases. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the application server's stability and reliability, as it allows unauthorized remote actors to disrupt service availability without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals, as it could potentially encompass multiple attack surfaces within the web server infrastructure. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which covers weaknesses related to the improper handling of memory or resources, and may also correspond to CWE-400, addressing issues related to resource exhaustion that could lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the denial of service condition to gain further access to the underlying system. Attackers could exploit this weakness to repeatedly cause service interruptions, potentially leading to business disruption and financial losses. The fact that this vulnerability emerged in specific fixpack releases suggests that the patching process itself may have introduced regressions or incomplete fixes, which is a common concern in enterprise software maintenance. Organizations running IBM WebSphere Application Server 6.1 should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating their incident response capabilities and system resilience against sustained attack patterns. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall under the T1499 sub-technique for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to disrupt availability. This weakness could also potentially be leveraged as a precursor to other attack vectors, as service disruption often creates opportunities for additional exploitation attempts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM fixpack 6.1.0.27 or later versions that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of application server traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while implementing rate limiting and connection monitoring can provide additional protection against denial of service attacks. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential weaknesses in their WebSphere installations that may be similarly affected by flawed patching processes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough regression testing in software patch deployment, particularly for enterprise applications where stability is paramount. Regular security audits and continuous monitoring of patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates how even security updates can introduce new risks if not properly validated. The incident also underscores the need for maintaining detailed documentation of all system changes and having rollback procedures in place when implementing critical patches.