CVE-2011-1311 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Security component in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) before 7.0.0.15, when a J2EE 1.4 application is used, determines the security role mapping on the basis of the ibm-application-bnd.xml file instead of the intended ibm-application-bnd.xmi file, which might allow remote authenticated users to gain privileges in opportunistic circumstances by requesting a service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1311 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to 7.0.0.15 and represents a critical security misconfiguration that undermines the application security framework. This issue specifically impacts J2EE 1.4 applications where the security component fails to properly process the intended security binding configuration file. The flaw stems from the server's incorrect file processing mechanism that prioritizes the ibm-application-bnd.xml file over the intended ibm-application-bnd.xmi file for determining security role mappings. This misconfiguration creates a potential privilege escalation vector that could be exploited by authenticated remote attackers who understand the system's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WebSphere Application Server's security component failing to properly validate or process the XMI-based security binding file format. According to CWE-284, this represents an improper access control vulnerability where the system fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms. The security role mapping process is fundamentally compromised because the system operates on legacy XML configuration instead of the properly structured XMI format that contains the intended security boundaries. This misinterpretation of security configuration files allows attackers to potentially bypass access controls that should restrict certain application services to specific user roles, creating opportunities for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass to encompass potential data exposure and system compromise. An authenticated attacker who can influence the application's security configuration or has knowledge of the system's file structure can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to protected resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate system access. The security implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where WebSphere Application Server typically hosts mission-critical applications with sensitive data access requirements, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations maintaining compliance with security standards such as those outlined in ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0.0.15 or later, which properly handles the XMI security binding files. Security administrators should also conduct thorough reviews of existing security configurations to ensure that ibm-application-bnd.xml files do not contain unintended privilege mappings that could be exploited. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper file access controls and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to security configuration files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access control lists to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other enterprise applications that may be subject to similar flaws in security configuration processing.