CVE-2014-0918 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Eclipse Help System (IEHS) in IBM WebSphere Portal 6.1.0 through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5 through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0 through 7.0.0.2 CF27, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.1 CF06 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0918 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the IBM Eclipse Help System component of IBM WebSphere Portal. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating URL parameters, potentially exposing sensitive data and system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM WebSphere Portal including 6.1.0 through 6.1.0.6, 6.1.5 through 6.1.5.3, 7.0 through 7.0.0.2, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.1, specifically when running with certain cumulative fixes. The affected system components are part of the Eclipse Help System which provides documentation and help content management functionality.
This directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path handling within the help system's URL processing mechanism. When users access help content through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate URL parameters that specify file paths. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file access controls. The flaw allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should be restricted, including configuration files, source code, and potentially system credentials. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the web server. Remote attackers can potentially extract configuration files containing database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in production environments. This weakness could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, or conduct data exfiltration attacks against organizations using affected WebSphere Portal versions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through standard web browsing activities without requiring specialized tools or conditions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and cumulative fixes that address this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent malformed URL parameters from reaching the help system components. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected portal components to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and monitoring should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery which covers methods attackers use to enumerate system resources. Organizations should also review their web application security practices to prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components and ensure comprehensive security coverage across their IT infrastructure.