CVE-2012-0717 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 before 7.0.0.23, when a certain SSLv2 configuration with client authentication is used, allows remote attackers to bypass X.509 client-certificate authentication via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0717 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0 prior to 7.0.0.23 and represents a significant security flaw in the server's SSL/TLS implementation. This issue specifically manifests when the server is configured with SSLv2 protocol support combined with client authentication requirements, creating a potential bypass mechanism that undermines the intended security controls. The vulnerability falls under the category of authentication bypass flaws, which can have severe implications for applications relying on client certificate-based authentication for access control.
The technical implementation flaw stems from how the WebSphere Application Server handles SSLv2 connections when client certificate authentication is required. When SSLv2 is enabled with client authentication, the server should enforce strict certificate validation and authentication requirements. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to exploit unspecified vectors that permit bypassing the X.509 client-certificate authentication process. This weakness creates a pathway for unauthorized access to applications protected by client certificate authentication, effectively undermining the cryptographic security controls designed to verify client identities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it can enable remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected applications and services. Attackers leveraging this flaw can bypass the intended security controls that rely on client certificates for authentication, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, performing unauthorized operations, or escalating privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the application server, which is fundamental to maintaining secure access controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch provided by IBM, which addresses the specific SSLv2 client authentication bypass issue in WebSphere Application Server 7.0. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to WebSphere Application Server 7.0.0.23 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should disable SSLv2 protocol support on affected systems since SSLv2 is considered deprecated and inherently insecure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a variant of the broader category of authentication bypass flaws that can be exploited through protocol-level weaknesses.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access as it can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local system access or elevated privileges. The exploitation typically involves establishing SSLv2 connections to the WebSphere server while attempting to bypass the certificate authentication requirements. This type of attack pattern is consistent with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains, where adversaries seek to bypass authentication mechanisms and maintain persistence within target environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all instances of affected WebSphere installations and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.