CVE-2011-1356 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.39 and 7.0 before 7.0.0.19 allows local users to obtain sensitive stack-trace information via a crafted Administration Console request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1356 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1 before 6.1.0.39 and 7.0 before 7.0.0.19, representing a significant security flaw in the administration console component of this enterprise application server platform. This issue manifests as an information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the system processes crafted requests through the Administration Console interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the server's administrative subsystem, allowing unauthorized local users to exploit a weakness in the request processing logic.
The technical flaw resides in the manner the WebSphere Application Server handles administrative requests within its console interface, specifically when processing malformed or specially crafted inputs. When a local user submits a crafted request to the administration console, the system fails to properly sanitize the input parameters before processing them, leading to the exposure of internal stack-trace information. This occurs because the server's error handling mechanism does not adequately filter or suppress sensitive diagnostic information that would normally be suppressed in production environments. The stack-trace information reveals internal system details including file paths, class names, method signatures, and potentially sensitive operational data that could aid attackers in understanding the server's internal architecture and identifying additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed stack-trace data can provide attackers with detailed insights into the application server's internal structure and implementation details. This information can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation of other vulnerabilities present in the WebSphere environment. The vulnerability affects local users who already have access to the system, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share administrative privileges or where insufficient privilege separation exists. The exposure of stack-trace information can reveal implementation details that might not be visible in normal operational contexts, potentially exposing weaknesses in the application's security design and implementation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes information exposure through improper error handling, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the server's defensive mechanisms, as it demonstrates inadequate input validation and error handling practices that could be exploited by attackers with local access. Organizations using affected WebSphere versions face significant risk of information disclosure attacks that could compromise system integrity and potentially lead to more serious security breaches. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper error handling and input validation in enterprise applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where sensitive information is frequently processed.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2011-1356 involve immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM WebSphere Application Server 6.1 and 7.0 versions. Organizations should ensure all systems are updated to the patched versions 6.1.0.39 and 7.0.0.19 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary fixes to prevent the exposure of stack-trace information. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the administrative console can help reduce the attack surface, while regular monitoring and log analysis should be conducted to detect any potential exploitation attempts. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that error handling mechanisms properly suppress sensitive diagnostic information from being exposed to unauthorized users, and comprehensive security testing should be performed to validate that the fixes are properly implemented across all affected systems.