CVE-2013-3040 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server through 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1 produces login-failure messages indicating whether the username or password is incorrect, which allows remote attackers to enumerate user accounts via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3040 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions through 8.5 FP3, 8.7 through FP2, and 9.1, representing a significant authentication weakness that exposes the system to user enumeration attacks. This flaw manifests through the application's response handling during login attempts, where the system provides distinct error messages indicating whether the username or password is incorrect. Such behavior creates an information disclosure vulnerability that directly enables attackers to distinguish between valid and invalid usernames through careful analysis of response differences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate error handling mechanisms during authentication processes. When a user attempts to log in with incorrect credentials, the system's response varies depending on whether the username exists in the system or not. This differential response pattern allows an attacker to systematically test usernames and observe the varying error messages, effectively enumerating valid user accounts through automated brute-force attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation details can create significant security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account enumeration, as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including credential stuffing, password spraying, and targeted brute-force campaigns. Once valid usernames are identified, attackers can focus their efforts on cracking specific accounts rather than attempting to guess random user credentials, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of their attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where InfoSphere Information Server serves as a central data management platform, potentially exposing sensitive organizational data to unauthorized access. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to both automated attack tools and skilled threat actors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the detailed error messages for authentication failures, implementing account lockout mechanisms after failed login attempts, and deploying rate limiting controls to prevent automated enumeration attempts. The solution should also include configuring the application to return generic error messages regardless of whether the username or password is incorrect, thereby eliminating the information leakage that enables enumeration. Security measures should align with ATT&CK technique T1110, which covers credential access through brute force and password spraying attacks, requiring organizations to implement defense-in-depth strategies including multi-factor authentication, strong password policies, and continuous monitoring of authentication attempts to detect suspicious activities. Additionally, regular security assessments and proper input validation practices should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.