CVE-2014-4819 in Integration Bus
Summary
by MITRE
The web user interface in IBM WebSphere Message Broker 8.0 before 8.0.0.6 and IBM Integration Bus 9.0 before 9.0.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by reading the error page.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4819 affects IBM WebSphere Message Broker version 8.0 prior to 8.0.0.6 and IBM Integration Bus version 9.0 prior to 9.0.0.3, representing a significant information disclosure weakness in the web user interface component. This flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to access sensitive system information through the analysis of error pages generated by the messaging infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient error handling mechanisms that inadvertently expose internal system details, configuration information, or potentially sensitive data structures when error conditions occur within the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic information disclosure pattern where error messages contain excessive detail about the underlying system architecture, including file paths, system configurations, or internal component references. When authenticated users interact with the web interface and trigger error conditions, the system's error handling routine fails to sanitize the output properly, resulting in the exposure of information that should remain confidential. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require proper error handling without revealing system internals to unauthorized parties.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations using these messaging platforms, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that could be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The exposure of internal system details such as component names, file locations, or configuration parameters significantly reduces the attack surface and provides threat actors with insights into the target environment's structure. This information could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific components or to bypass security controls by understanding the system's architecture. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the security triad, potentially enabling attackers to perform more targeted exploitation attempts.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4819 primarily involve applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the improper error handling in the web user interface. Organizations should also implement proper error handling configurations that prevent detailed system information from being exposed in error pages, following the principle of least privilege in error message generation. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar information disclosure issues in other components and ensure that error handling routines are properly configured to avoid exposing sensitive data. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing the ATT&CK framework's defensive strategies for information gathering and reconnaissance activities, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor error handling flaws can create significant security implications. Organizations should establish comprehensive security testing procedures that include error handling reviews and ensure that all web interfaces properly sanitize output to prevent information leakage.