CVE-2014-3060 in WebSphere DataPower XC10 appliance
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability on the IBM WebSphere DataPower XC10 appliance 2.5 allows remote attackers to obtain administrative privileges by leveraging access to an eXtreme Scale distributed ObjectGrid network and capturing a session cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3060 affects the IBM WebSphere DataPower XC10 appliance version 2.5, representing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers to escalate privileges. This issue stems from insufficient session management and authentication mechanisms within the appliance's integration with eXtreme Scale distributed ObjectGrid networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to gain administrative access through the capture and reuse of session cookies, which fundamentally undermines the appliance's security posture and authorization controls.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of session identifiers within the eXtreme Scale distributed ObjectGrid environment, where session cookies are not adequately protected against interception or replay attacks. When an attacker gains access to the distributed ObjectGrid network, they can capture session tokens that are subsequently used to authenticate as administrative users. This represents a classic session hijacking vulnerability that falls under CWE-384, which specifically addresses the use of weak session identifiers or improper session management. The vulnerability is further exacerbated by the lack of secure session token generation and validation mechanisms that would normally prevent such unauthorized access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it could lead to complete compromise of the DataPower appliance and potentially the entire network infrastructure it protects. An attacker with administrative privileges could modify firewall rules, access sensitive data, alter network configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the environment. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it allows unauthorized access through legitimate administrative sessions. The compromised appliance could serve as a pivot point for further attacks within the network, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust session management controls including secure session token generation, proper session timeout mechanisms, and network segmentation to limit access to the eXtreme Scale ObjectGrid network. Organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous session behavior and implement encryption for all session data transmission. The appliance should be updated to the latest firmware version that addresses this vulnerability, and access controls should be strictly enforced through proper authentication mechanisms. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of session management configurations would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary ObjectGrid access points and implementing strict firewall rules to limit exposure of the vulnerable components to unauthorized users.