CVE-2011-0310 in WebSphere
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM WebSphere MQ 7.0 before 7.0.1.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted header field in a message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0310 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM WebSphere MQ version 7.0 prior to 7.0.1.4. This issue resides in the message processing component of the messaging middleware system that facilitates enterprise-level message queuing and communication between distributed applications. The buffer overflow occurs when the system processes specially crafted header fields in incoming messages, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This vulnerability specifically affects the message header parsing mechanism that validates and processes message metadata before forwarding messages through the queue management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in input validation and memory management within the WebSphere MQ message processing engine. When a maliciously constructed message header field exceeds the allocated buffer size, the overflow can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers stored in memory. This memory corruption enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the WebSphere MQ service account or cause application crashes that result in denial of service conditions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory regions containing program control data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where message queues are exposed to external communication channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0310 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader enterprise security implications. Organizations utilizing WebSphere MQ for critical business processes face potential disruption from denial of service attacks that can render message queues unavailable, causing cascading failures in dependent applications and services. When exploited for code execution, the vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the messaging infrastructure, potentially allowing them to intercept sensitive data, modify message flows, or establish persistent access points within the enterprise network. The vulnerability's presence in the messaging layer creates additional attack surface complexity since message queues often serve as communication channels between systems with varying security postures, potentially allowing attackers to use compromised queue services as stepping stones for further network infiltration. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: Message Queue Protocols, where adversaries exploit messaging systems to maintain persistence and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0310 require immediate implementation of IBM's security patches and updates, specifically targeting the 7.0.1.4 release or higher versions that contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct access to WebSphere MQ services, particularly by restricting external network exposure of message queue endpoints. Additional protective measures include implementing message filtering and validation mechanisms at network boundaries, enabling strict input validation for all message headers, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous message patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected WebSphere MQ versions within their environments and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the security fixes do not introduce compatibility issues with existing messaging applications and workflows, while maintaining proper access controls and privilege separation for WebSphere MQ service accounts to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation attempts.