CVE-2015-0178 in Liberty
Summary
by MITRE
The Java overlay feature in IBM Bluemix Liberty before 1.13-20150209-1122 for Java does not properly support WAR applications, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0178 affects IBM Bluemix Liberty profile version 1.13 and earlier, specifically concerning the Java overlay feature implementation. This flaw resides within the application deployment and runtime environment management system that handles web application packaging and deployment processes. The Liberty profile serves as a lightweight, modular runtime for Java applications that supports various web standards and frameworks, making it a critical component in cloud-based application deployments.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of WAR (Web Application Archive) applications within the overlay feature mechanism. When applications are deployed using the overlay functionality, the system fails to correctly process or isolate the application components, leading to potential information disclosure vulnerabilities. This weakness allows attackers to exploit the improper WAR application handling to extract sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's context. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways exist through which the vulnerability can be exploited, potentially including direct access to application resources, configuration files, or internal system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive information that may include application configuration details, database connection strings, user credentials, or other proprietary data that could compromise the security posture of the deployed applications. The vulnerability affects the fundamental deployment and runtime security model of the Liberty profile, potentially undermining the trust model of cloud-based Java applications. This weakness particularly impacts organizations relying on IBM Bluemix for application hosting, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive business-critical applications and data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to IBM Bluemix Liberty version 1.13-20150209-1122 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the overlay feature implementation. Security teams should also review existing deployments for any applications using the overlay functionality and consider implementing additional network segmentation measures to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and information gathering through application layer exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Liberty profile deployments and consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the core issue of improper WAR application handling and ensures that overlay features correctly isolate application components during deployment processes.