CVE-2012-2170 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Application Snoop Servlet in IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 before 7.0.0.23 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive client and request information via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2170 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server version 7.0 prior to 7.0.0.23 and resides within the Application Snoop Servlet component. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that enables remote attackers to bypass intended security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive client and request information. The Application Snoop Servlet is designed to provide diagnostic information about application requests and client details, but due to improper access controls, it becomes a potential vector for information disclosure attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access restriction mechanisms within the servlet's authorization framework. When attackers send direct requests to the Application Snoop Servlet endpoint, they can retrieve detailed information about client connections, request parameters, session data, and potentially other sensitive metadata that should only be accessible to authorized administrative users or system components. This misconfiguration creates an information exposure scenario where unauthorized parties can obtain potentially valuable data that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked client and request information could enable attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential harvesting, or targeted social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects organizations running IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 versions below 7.0.0.23, creating a significant risk for enterprises that may have legacy systems or delayed patch deployment cycles. This weakness aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks in web applications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM security patch version 7.0.0.23 or later, which addresses the access control flaw in the Application Snoop Servlet. Network-level restrictions should be implemented to limit access to the affected servlet endpoint, particularly through firewall rules or web application firewalls that can block direct requests to the snoop servlet. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other potential access control weaknesses within the application server configuration and ensure that diagnostic servlets are properly secured or disabled in production environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which focuses on exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gain additional access to systems.