CVE-2014-0922 in Messagesight Jms Client
Summary
by MITRE
IBM MessageSight 1.x before 1.1.0.0-IBM-IMA-IT01015 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption) via WebSockets MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0922 affects IBM MessageSight versions 1.x prior to 1.1.0.0, specifically targeting the WebSockets MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) implementation. This issue represents a significant security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute resource exhaustion attacks against the messaging system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and resource management within the MQTT protocol handler when processing WebSockets connections, creating an avenue for malicious actors to consume system resources indefinitely.
The technical flaw manifests when the IBM MessageSight server processes MQTT data transmitted over WebSockets connections. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted MQTT messages that trigger excessive resource consumption patterns within the messaging engine. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the MQTT protocol's inherent characteristics to maintain persistent connections while gradually depleting available memory, CPU cycles, and network bandwidth. This type of attack falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks, which are commonly classified as CWE-400 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing uncontrolled resource consumption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire messaging infrastructure. When exploited successfully, the denial of service condition can render the IBM MessageSight server unable to process legitimate MQTT messages, effectively breaking the communication channel for authorized users and applications. The resource consumption pattern typically involves gradual memory allocation without proper cleanup mechanisms, leading to system instability and potential crashes. Organizations relying on MessageSight for mission-critical messaging may experience significant operational disruptions, particularly in environments where continuous availability is essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0922 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to IBM MessageSight version 1.1.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Network-level protections can include implementing rate limiting mechanisms for WebSocket connections and monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous MQTT traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper connection pooling and resource management configurations can help minimize the impact if an attack does occur. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving resource exhaustion and denial of service, specifically targeting the availability aspect of the CIA triad. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid identification and containment of such attacks, as the effects can cascade across dependent systems that rely on the affected messaging infrastructure for communication.