CVE-2011-0314 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in IBM WebSphere MQ 6.0 before 6.0.2.11 and 7.0 before 7.0.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (queue manager crash) by inserting an invalid message into the queue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0314 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in IBM WebSphere MQ messaging middleware versions 6.0 prior to 6.0.2.11 and 7.0 prior to 7.0.1.5. This flaw exists within the message processing functionality of the queue manager component, specifically when handling malformed message data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices during message queuing operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by authenticated remote attackers. The heap overflow occurs when the system attempts to process an invalid message structure, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution or system disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the queue manager's failure to properly validate message length fields and content boundaries when processing incoming messages. Attackers can craft specially formatted messages containing malicious data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing the heap memory to overflow and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the queue manager process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory handling practices in enterprise messaging systems. The attack requires only authenticated access to the messaging system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IBM WebSphere MQ for critical messaging infrastructure. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over the messaging infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and lateral movement within the network. The denial of service aspect creates additional operational concerns as queue manager crashes can disrupt business-critical applications that depend on message queuing for inter-system communication. Organizations with high availability requirements face particular risk as the queue manager crash could result in extended service outages. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where WebSphere MQ serves as a central messaging hub connecting multiple applications and systems, as a successful exploitation could cascade across the entire infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM WebSphere MQ versions 6.0.2.11 and 7.0.1.5. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit authentication access to only authorized personnel, reducing the attack surface. Implementing message validation and sanitization processes can help detect and prevent malformed messages from reaching the queue manager. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual message patterns or attempted exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in enterprise middleware systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499 for endpoint disruption. Regular security assessments of messaging infrastructure and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other enterprise systems. The incident highlights the critical need for robust software security practices in mission-critical infrastructure components and emphasizes the importance of timely patch management for enterprise messaging systems.