CVE-2012-5953 in WebSphere Message
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Message Broker 6.1 before 6.1.0.12, 7.0 before 7.0.0.6, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.2, when the Parse Query Strings option is enabled on an HTTPInput node, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5953 affects IBM WebSphere Message Broker versions 6.1.0.11 and earlier, 7.0.0.5 and earlier, and 8.0.0.1 and earlier when the Parse Query Strings option is enabled on an HTTPInput node. This flaw represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to create an infinite loop within the message broker processing engine. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP input node's handling of query strings, which is a common mechanism for passing parameters in web-based communication protocols.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and parsing logic within the WebSphere Message Broker's HTTP input node implementation. When the Parse Query Strings option is enabled, the system attempts to process incoming query parameters from HTTP requests. However, the parsing algorithm fails to properly handle malformed or specially crafted query strings that contain recursive or self-referential patterns. This deficiency allows an attacker to construct a query string that causes the broker to enter an infinite loop during parsing operations, consuming excessive CPU resources and rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-835, which addresses the issue of infinite loops in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect critical business processes that rely on message broker functionality. Organizations using affected WebSphere Message Broker versions may experience complete service outages when attackers exploit this vulnerability, potentially affecting thousands of transactions per second depending on the system's configuration and workload. The infinite loop condition can cause the broker to consume all available CPU cycles, leading to system instability and potential cascading failures in distributed applications that depend on message routing. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where message brokers serve as central communication hubs for complex business workflows and integration patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5953 include applying the official IBM security patches and hotfixes released for the affected versions of WebSphere Message Broker. Organizations should also consider disabling the Parse Query Strings option on HTTPInput nodes when this functionality is not required, effectively removing the attack surface. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and rate limiting mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing monitoring and alerting systems to detect unusual CPU utilization patterns can provide early warning of potential attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper resource management in middleware systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting application-level services. The recommended remediation approach should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while addressing the specific infinite loop condition that enables this denial of service attack.