CVE-2010-2324 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 before 7.0.0.11 on z/OS allows attackers to perform unspecified "link injection" actions via unknown vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0 before 7.0.0.11 on the z/OS operating system platform contains a security vulnerability classified as a link injection flaw that enables unauthorized attackers to manipulate application links and potentially gain elevated privileges or access sensitive information. This vulnerability exists within the server's handling of application links and could allow malicious actors to inject malicious content into link references, thereby compromising the integrity of the application environment. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple pathways including but not limited to URL manipulation, parameter injection, or session handling flaws that could be exploited to redirect users to malicious destinations or execute unauthorized operations within the application context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of link references within the WebSphere Application Server framework. When applications deployed on WAS generate or process hyperlinks, the server fails to adequately verify the integrity of these references, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious content that could be executed within the context of the vulnerable application. This weakness directly relates to common web application vulnerabilities documented under CWE-601 and CWE-79, which address URL redirection and web injection flaws respectively. The vulnerability affects the z/OS platform specifically, indicating that the issue may be tied to platform-specific implementation details or differences in how the operating system handles certain security controls compared to other platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe security breaches including privilege escalation, unauthorized data access, and session hijacking. Attackers could exploit this weakness to redirect users to malicious websites, inject malicious scripts, or manipulate application behavior in ways that compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the deployed applications. The z/OS environment presents additional complexity since it typically hosts critical business applications and financial systems where such vulnerabilities could have significant business impact. Organizations running WebSphere Application Server on z/OS platforms face particular risk as these systems often handle sensitive data and critical operations where the consequences of exploitation could be severe.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should begin with immediate application of the IBM security patch version 7.0.0.11 which addresses the specific link injection flaws identified in the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls at multiple layers including application-level sanitization of all link references, implementation of secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks, and regular security assessments of application links and URL handling mechanisms. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious link patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices including the principle of least privilege, regular security testing, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all applications running on the affected WebSphere version and ensure complete remediation across their entire application portfolio. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under techniques related to web application attacks and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for layered defense strategies that address both application-level and network-level security controls to prevent exploitation of such injection vulnerabilities.