CVE-2013-3028 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in mqm programs in IBM WebSphere MQ 7.0.x before 7.0.1.11, 7.1.x before 7.1.0.3, and 7.5.x before 7.5.0.2 on non-Windows platforms allow local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3028 represents a critical security flaw affecting IBM WebSphere MQ messaging middleware across multiple version branches including 7.0.x prior to 7.0.1.11, 7.1.x prior to 7.1.0.3, and 7.5.x prior to 7.5.0.2 on non-Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the mqm (Message Queuing Manager) programs that form the core of IBM WebSphere MQ's message queuing functionality. The affected systems are particularly at risk because the buffer overflows occur within the privileged components of the messaging infrastructure that handle critical queuing operations and system communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the mqm programs that process various input parameters and data structures. These buffer overflows occur when the programs receive data that exceeds the allocated memory buffer space, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple attack pathways including malformed input processing, command line arguments, or network communications that pass through the affected messaging components. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it affects local users who can leverage the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire messaging infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data flowing through the messaging queues. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain elevated privileges on the system and potentially access or manipulate all messages stored in the queues, which often contain confidential business data, financial transactions, or personal information. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but once inside, they can leverage the privilege escalation to move laterally within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on IBM WebSphere MQ for enterprise messaging.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security patches provided by IBM to address the buffer overflow issues in the mqm programs. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the appropriate cumulative fix packages for each affected version branch, ensuring that all systems running IBM WebSphere MQ are updated to the latest secure releases. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and implement network segmentation to limit local access to messaging infrastructure. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring for suspicious activities and implementing proper access controls to minimize the attack surface. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise messaging systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future, as the nature of buffer overflows makes them particularly attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise infrastructure.