CVE-2009-2956 in WebSphere Commerce Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) Net.Commerce and (2) Net.Data components in IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite store sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to discover passwords, and database and filesystem details, via direct requests for configuration files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2956 affects IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite components including Net.Commerce and Net.Data which are critical business application modules designed for e-commerce operations. This security flaw represents a significant configuration oversight where sensitive system information is stored in publicly accessible locations within the web root directory structure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict unauthorized access to critical configuration files and system details that should remain protected within the application's internal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper placement of sensitive configuration files and system parameters in directories that are accessible through standard web requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly accessing specific URLs that correspond to these improperly protected configuration files, thereby gaining unauthorized visibility into system credentials, database connection strings, and filesystem paths. The flaw operates at the application level where the security model fails to properly enforce access controls between different application components and the web-facing interface. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control as classified under CWE-284, where the system fails to properly restrict access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can obtain database connection details which may facilitate database enumeration and potentially lead to data breaches. Password information discovered through this method could be used for credential stuffing attacks against other systems or for gaining deeper access to the application infrastructure. The exposure of filesystem details provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that could be leveraged for further exploitation attempts including path traversal attacks or system compromise through other vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) as attackers can systematically discover system files and extract stored credentials. The flaw also demonstrates poor secure configuration practices that could enable lateral movement within a compromised environment. Organizations utilizing IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed through this vulnerability, particularly in environments subject to standards such as PCI DSS or HIPAA where proper access controls and information protection are mandatory requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2956 should focus on immediate reconfiguration of application components to ensure that sensitive configuration files are stored outside the web root directory and properly protected through access control mechanisms. IBM released security patches and configuration guidelines to address this vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of proper application security hardening. Organizations should implement regular security assessments to identify similar misconfigurations and establish automated monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of principle of least privilege and proper separation of concerns in application architecture design, where sensitive operational data should never be exposed through standard web interfaces without proper authentication and authorization controls.