CVE-2013-5393 in WebSphere eXtreme Scale
Summary
by MITRE
The monitoring console in IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 8.5.0, and 8.6.0 does not properly process logoff actions, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5393 affects IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale monitoring console functionality across multiple versions including 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 8.5.0, and 8.6.0. This issue resides within the authentication and session management mechanisms of the web-based monitoring interface, specifically concerning how the system handles user logoff operations. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow unauthorized access or privilege escalation within the managed environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of logoff actions within the monitoring console component of IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale. When users attempt to log off from the console, the system fails to properly terminate active sessions or invalidate authentication tokens, creating potential persistence mechanisms for malicious actors. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the session management subsystem that governs user authentication states and access controls. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and may also relate to CWE-306, indicating missing security checks during authentication processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass scenarios, potentially enabling remote attackers to maintain access to sensitive monitoring interfaces without proper authorization. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized visibility into system operations, monitor network traffic, or potentially manipulate system configurations through the monitoring console. The unspecified impact field suggests that depending on the specific environment and implementation details, the consequences could range from information disclosure to full system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects distributed computing environments where WebSphere eXtreme Scale is deployed as a grid computing platform for managing large-scale distributed applications.
Remote attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that the monitoring console is typically accessible over network connections and may be exposed to external networks. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw from remote locations to maintain persistent access to the monitoring infrastructure, which often contains sensitive operational data and system configuration information. The attack surface expands when considering that monitoring consoles frequently provide administrative access to underlying systems, making this vulnerability a potential entry point for broader system compromise. Organizations using these specific versions of IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and evaluate their network segmentation strategies to limit exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5393 should include immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the monitoring console to authorized administrative networks only. Additional controls may include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, monitoring session activity for suspicious behavior, and establishing regular security assessments of the monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session management and access control implementation in distributed systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.