CVE-2012-3306 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.45, 7.0 before 7.0.0.25, 8.0 before 8.0.0.5, and 8.5 before 8.5.0.1, when multi-domain support is configured, does not purge password data from the authentication cache, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to specific patch levels contain a critical security vulnerability in the authentication cache mechanism that persists password data even after successful authentication. This vulnerability affects WebSphere Application Server 6.1 before 6.1.0.45, 7.0 before 7.0.0.25, 8.0 before 8.0.0.5, and 8.5 before 8.5.0.1 when multi-domain support is configured. The flaw represents a failure in proper credential handling and memory management within the application server's security framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the authentication cache not properly purging sensitive password information after successful authentication processes complete. When multi-domain support is enabled, the server maintains authentication state information in memory for performance optimization purposes, but fails to completely remove password data from these cached entries. This creates a persistent exposure where cached credentials retain sensitive information that should be cleared upon successful authentication, violating fundamental security principles of credential handling and memory sanitization. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically relates to CWE-312, which deals with exposure of sensitive data through partial clearing of data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to both local and remote attack scenarios, as the cached password information can be accessed through various means including memory inspection techniques and exploitation of related vulnerabilities. Attackers who can access the system memory or exploit other vulnerabilities within the WebSphere environment may retrieve cached password data from the authentication cache, potentially enabling credential reuse attacks, lateral movement within the network, and unauthorized access to protected resources. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that the vulnerability could enable various attack vectors including privilege escalation, account takeover, and persistent access to sensitive applications and data.
Organizations using affected WebSphere Application Server versions should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the specific cumulative fix packages for each affected version, which properly implement authentication cache purging mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should review and configure multi-domain support settings to minimize exposure, implement proper monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and consider additional security controls such as secure credential storage mechanisms and regular security assessments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550, which covers use of stolen credentials, and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure where WebSphere Application Server is deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper credential management and memory sanitization in enterprise application servers, particularly when handling sensitive authentication data across multiple domains.