CVE-2011-5066 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The SibRaRecoverableSiXaResource class in the Default Messaging Component in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.41 does not properly handle a Service Integration Bus (SIB) dump operation involving the First Failure Data Capture (FFDC) introspection code, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the FFDC log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5066 resides within IBM WebSphere Application Server version 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.41, specifically within the Default Messaging Component's SibRaRecoverableSiXaResource class. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper handling of Service Integration Bus dump operations combined with First Failure Data Capture introspection mechanisms. The issue manifests when the system processes SIB dump operations, creating FFDC log files that contain sensitive information accessible to local users through unauthorized file reading operations. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically targets the messaging infrastructure components that handle transactional data processing within the WebSphere environment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient sanitization and access control mechanisms applied to FFDC log files generated during SIB dump operations. When the SibRaRecoverableSiXaResource class processes these operations, it fails to properly secure the FFDC introspection data that gets written to log files, allowing local users to read these files directly. This represents a classic case of inadequate access control and information exposure, categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files). The flaw demonstrates poor privilege separation and inadequate file system permissions management, as sensitive transactional data and system introspection information becomes accessible to any local user who can read the FFDC log files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the FFDC logs typically contain detailed system introspection data including stack traces, memory dumps, and potentially sensitive transactional information that could be exploited by attackers. Local users who can access these files gain visibility into the internal workings of the messaging component, potentially revealing system architecture details, transaction states, and other sensitive operational information. This information could be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks against the WebSphere application server or to understand the system's behavior for further exploitation. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where privilege escalation is possible, as it provides a method for unauthorized information gathering that could lead to more severe compromises.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patch for WebSphere Application Server version 6.1.0.41 or later, which addresses the improper handling of FFDC log files. System administrators should also review and tighten file system permissions on FFDC log directories to ensure that only authorized administrative processes can access these sensitive files. Additionally, implementing proper log management practices including regular log rotation, access auditing, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1070 (Indicator Removal on Host), as it provides a method for extracting sensitive data from the target system and potentially removing evidence of exploitation through log file manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper logging and monitoring practices in application security and highlights the need for comprehensive access control mechanisms within enterprise application servers.