CVE-2013-6730 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Portal 6.1.0.x through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5.x through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.2 CF27, and 8.0.0.x before 8.0.0.1 CF10, when the wcm.path.traversal.security setting is enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass intended read restrictions on an item by accessing that item within search results.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2022
IBM WebSphere Portal versions 6.1.0.x through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5.x through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.2 CF27, and 8.0.0.x before 8.0.0.1 CF10 contain a security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to bypass read restrictions on portal items when the wcm.path.traversal.security setting is enabled. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the Web Content Management system's path traversal security mechanism that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to content items. When this security feature is enabled, it should restrict access to portal items based on user permissions and content access controls, but the vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent these protections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user input when processing search results that contain references to protected content items. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific search queries that return items within the search results, then directly accessing those items through their URLs or by manipulating the path traversal mechanisms. This bypass occurs because the system fails to properly validate that the user has appropriate permissions to access the specific content item when it is retrieved from search results. The vulnerability specifically affects the wcm.path.traversal.security configuration parameter, which when enabled, should enforce path traversal restrictions but instead creates a loophole that allows unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to access restricted portal content that should only be available to authorized users. This could result in exposure of sensitive business information, confidential documents, internal communications, or proprietary content that is protected by the portal's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebSphere Portal serves as a central hub for corporate content management and collaboration. Attackers could potentially access restricted content such as financial reports, strategic plans, employee records, or other sensitive materials that are normally protected by the portal's security framework.
Organizations using affected IBM WebSphere Portal versions should immediately apply the relevant cumulative fixes and service packs that address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves disabling the wcm.path.traversal.security setting if it is not essential for business operations, or ensuring that the setting is properly configured with additional access controls. Security administrators should also implement network-level restrictions and monitor search result access patterns for suspicious activity. Additionally, organizations should review their portal access controls and permissions settings to ensure that proper segregation of duties is maintained. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts with restricted permissions, as the attack exploits legitimate access paths while bypassing intended security controls. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other web applications and portal systems within the organization's infrastructure.