CVE-2014-3083 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0.x before 7.0.0.35, 8.0.x before 8.0.0.10, and 8.5.x before 8.5.5.3 does not properly restrict resource access, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 7.0.x before 7.0.0.35, 8.0.x before 8.0.0.10, and 8.5.x before 8.5.5.3 contain a critical resource access control vulnerability that enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive information through unspecified vectors. This vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on resource access within the application server framework, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The flaw represents a significant security weakness in the server's access control mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass normal authorization checks and gain access to protected resources that should only be available to authorized users or processes. The vulnerability affects multiple major versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server, indicating a widespread issue across the product line that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining these critical infrastructure components. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through various attack methods, potentially including direct network access, manipulated requests, or indirect exploitation techniques that leverage other security weaknesses within the application server environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the server's resource management and access control enforcement mechanisms. IBM WebSphere Application Server typically implements various security controls to protect sensitive information including user credentials, application data, system configuration details, and other confidential resources. However, this vulnerability indicates that these controls are insufficient or improperly configured, allowing unauthorized access to resources that should be protected by proper authentication and authorization checks. The issue may involve flaws in how the server handles resource requests, processes access control lists, or validates user permissions, potentially enabling attackers to traverse access restrictions through crafted requests or by exploiting weaknesses in the server's internal resource management logic. This type of vulnerability directly relates to common security misconfigurations and implementation flaws that are categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the security architecture of IBM WebSphere Application Server deployments. Organizations running affected versions of the application server face significant risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive applications and user information, and possible compromise of entire application environments. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access confidential business data, customer information, application source code, database credentials, and other sensitive materials stored within the server environment. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing web applications. This vulnerability could also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to gather intelligence about the target environment before launching additional attacks or to escalate privileges within the compromised system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with upgrading to the patched versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server. The affected versions 7.0.0.35, 8.0.0.10, and 8.5.5.3 contain the necessary security fixes to resolve the resource access control issues. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to the application server, and enhanced monitoring of access logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, suggests that organizations should focus on protecting against protocol-level attacks and monitoring for unusual access patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the patch has been properly applied and that no other access control issues exist within the application server environment. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and implement defense-in-depth strategies to minimize the impact of potential future vulnerabilities, including maintaining up-to-date security patches, implementing proper access controls, and establishing robust monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.