CVE-2011-1209 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.39 and 7.0 before 7.0.0.17 uses a weak WS-Security XML encryption algorithm, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain plaintext data from a (1) JAX-RPC or (2) JAX-WS Web Services request via unspecified vectors related to a "decryption attack."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1209 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1 before 6.1.0.39 and 7.0 before 7.0.0.17, representing a significant security weakness in the WS-Security implementation that impacts web services communication. This vulnerability specifically targets the XML encryption algorithm used within the WebSphere Application Server's web services framework, creating a pathway for remote attackers to compromise sensitive data transmitted through JAX-RPC and JAX-WS web services. The weakness lies in the cryptographic implementation that fails to meet modern security standards for encryption algorithms, making the system susceptible to decryption attacks that can expose plaintext data from web service requests. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where web services are extensively used for business transactions and data exchange.
The technical flaw stems from the use of weak cryptographic primitives within the WS-Security implementation, specifically in how XML encryption is handled during web service communications. This weakness allows attackers to perform decryption attacks that can recover plaintext data from encrypted web service requests, potentially exposing sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, financial information, or proprietary business data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable further attacks including man-in-the-middle operations, credential theft, and unauthorized access to backend systems. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak encryption algorithms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through service exploitation. The specific weakness in the XML encryption implementation means that even when web services are properly configured with encryption, the underlying cryptographic strength is insufficient to protect against determined attackers who can leverage known vulnerabilities in the encryption algorithm.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations relying on IBM WebSphere Application Server for their web services infrastructure, as it creates a persistent security risk that can remain undetected for extended periods. Organizations using affected versions of WebSphere Application Server may experience unauthorized access to sensitive web service data, leading to potential data breaches, compliance violations, and financial losses. The vulnerability affects both JAX-RPC and JAX-WS implementations, meaning that organizations with diverse web services architectures are at risk, regardless of whether they use the older JAX-RPC framework or the newer JAX-WS standard. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through network-based attacks targeting the web services endpoints, making it particularly dangerous in environments where web services are exposed to external networks or where internal network segmentation is insufficient. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges, making it accessible to attackers with basic network access and appropriate knowledge of web services protocols.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1.0.39 or 7.0.0.17, which contain the necessary cryptographic fixes to address the weak XML encryption algorithm. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to web service endpoints, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected web services within their infrastructure. Security teams should review web service configurations to ensure proper implementation of strong encryption standards and consider implementing additional security controls such as API gateways or web application firewalls that can provide additional layers of protection. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not disrupt existing web service functionality, and organizations should monitor for any potential side effects from the security patches. Additionally, organizations should implement continuous monitoring and vulnerability management processes to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their web services infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations in enterprise web services environments.