CVE-2014-6186 in WebSphere Service Registry
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository (WSRR) 6.3.x before 6.3.0.5, 7.0.x through 7.0.0.5, 7.5.x before 7.5.0.3, and 8.0.x before 8.0.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended object-access restrictions via the datagraph.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository versions 6.3.x before 6.3.0.5, 7.0.x through 7.0.0.5, 7.5.x before 7.5.0.3, and 8.0.x before 8.0.0.1 contain a critical access control vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to bypass intended object-access restrictions through manipulation of the datagraph component. This vulnerability resides in the service registry and repository framework that manages enterprise service metadata and access controls. The flaw specifically affects the datagraph functionality which handles data graph operations and object relationships within the WSRR environment, allowing malicious authenticated users to access resources they should not be permitted to access based on their assigned permissions and roles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of access control mechanisms within the datagraph processing layer. When authenticated users submit requests through the datagraph interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has adequate permissions to access the target objects or resources. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access that can be exploited by attackers who have already established authentication credentials. The vulnerability operates at the application level and leverages the existing authentication infrastructure to gain access to restricted data objects that should be protected by the system's access control policies. According to the CWE database, this represents a classic access control flaw classified under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to discover, modify, or retrieve sensitive enterprise service metadata that may contain confidential business information, service definitions, or integration patterns. This could lead to information disclosure, service disruption, or even facilitate further attacks within the enterprise network. Attackers could potentially access service contracts, endpoint information, or integration configurations that provide insights into the organization's service-oriented architecture and business processes. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository across multiple major versions, indicating a widespread exposure that would require coordinated patching efforts across different system deployments. Organizations relying on WSRR for managing enterprise service registries and repositories face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations if this vulnerability remains unaddressed.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected versions of IBM WebSphere Service Registry and Repository, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the CVE. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of datagraph operations to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments of the WSRR environment should be conducted to identify other potential access control weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Abuse Elevation of privilege' tactic, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams managing service registry and repository systems. System administrators should also consider implementing role-based access controls with least privilege principles and regularly review user permissions to minimize potential damage from compromised accounts.