CVE-2013-4067 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.0, 8.1, 8.5 through FP3, 8.7, and 9.1 allows remote attackers to hijack sessions and read cookie values, or conduct phishing attacks to capture credentials, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4067 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 8.0, 8.1, 8.5 through fix pack 3, 8.7, and 9.1, representing a critical session management flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise data integration platforms. This vulnerability resides in the web application layer of the information server, where improper handling of session identifiers and authentication tokens creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's authentication mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate session cookies and potentially gain unauthorized access to user sessions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data processing occurs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management practices within the IBM InfoSphere Information Server web interface. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to intercept, manipulate, or predict session identifiers that are used to maintain user authentication states. This weakness creates a pathway for session hijacking attacks where malicious actors can take control of active user sessions, effectively impersonating legitimate users within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the cookie handling mechanisms that are fundamental to maintaining secure web application sessions, allowing attackers to extract cookie values that contain session identifiers and authentication data.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4067 extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass broader credential theft capabilities and phishing attack facilitation. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns that can capture user credentials through manipulated session tokens, potentially compromising entire user bases within organizations using affected versions of the information server. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where the information server handles sensitive business data, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, modification, or exfiltration. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential data breaches when this vulnerability is exploited against their systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of IBM InfoSphere Information Server, implementing proper session management controls, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious cookie manipulation activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session management flaws in web applications, and corresponds to tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework including credential access and privilege escalation. Additional defensive measures should include enforcing secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, implementing robust session timeout mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in web application components. Organizations must also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting session management weaknesses in their information server deployments.