CVE-2013-4054 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WMQ Telemetry in IBM WebSphere MQ 7.5 before 7.5.0.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4054 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within IBM WebSphere MQ 7.5 before version 7.5.0.3, specifically affecting the WMQ Telemetry component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the system by exploiting a malformed URI structure that bypasses normal file access controls. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization mechanisms within the telemetry service, which processes incoming requests without properly verifying the legitimacy of file paths specified in the URI parameters.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the WMQ Telemetry component receives a specially crafted URI containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. These sequences allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access files that should remain restricted, potentially including system configuration files, sensitive logs, or even credential storage locations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where WebSphere MQ services are exposed to untrusted networks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IBM WebSphere MQ for message queuing and enterprise messaging services. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, potential information disclosure, and in severe cases, system compromise through the retrieval of sensitive configuration details or credentials. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the telemetry component, which is often enabled for monitoring purposes and may be accessible from external networks, creating an attack surface that extends beyond traditional firewall boundaries. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is accessed through this vulnerability, especially in industries governed by standards such as pci dss or hipaa.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal issues in software applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file searches. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM security patches released for WebSphere MQ 7.5.0.3 and later versions, restricting access to telemetry services through network segmentation, and implementing proper input validation controls. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual URI patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security assessments should verify that telemetry services are properly configured and not exposed to unnecessary network access. The remediation process should also include reviewing and restricting file permissions for WebSphere MQ installation directories to minimize potential impact should the vulnerability be exploited despite defensive measures.