CVE-2015-1946 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 8.5 before 8.5.5.6, and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise 7.0 before 7.0.0.6 for WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 and 8.0, does not properly implement user roles, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
IBM WebSphere Application Server version 8.5 before 8.5.5.6 and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise 7.0 before 7.0.0.6 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper implementation of user role management within the application server environment. This vulnerability resides in the authorization mechanisms that govern how user permissions are enforced and validated within the WebSphere ecosystem, creating a potential pathway for local attackers to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that exploit weaknesses in the role-based access control implementation, allowing malicious users with local system access to bypass intended security boundaries and assume elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the WebSphere security model's role validation processes. When users attempt to access protected resources or perform administrative functions, the server's authorization subsystem fails to properly verify the user's assigned roles against the required permissions. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the role assignment validation logic, potentially allowing them to execute operations that should be restricted to administrators or other privileged user groups. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple access control bypass as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application server's security framework, affecting the entire privilege escalation landscape within the WebSphere environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on IBM WebSphere Application Server for their enterprise applications. Local privilege escalation attacks can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to modify application configurations, access sensitive data, manipulate application behavior, or even install malicious software. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions including both WebSphere Application Server 7.0 and 8.0 platforms means that organizations with mixed environments face increased exposure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to move laterally within the application server infrastructure, potentially accessing other applications hosted on the same server or compromising the underlying operating system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may be broader than initially apparent, potentially affecting various methods of privilege elevation within the WebSphere security framework.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of IBM security patches and updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.6 or later versions, and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise 7.0.0.6 or later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual privilege escalation activities or unauthorized access attempts within the WebSphere environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions and ensure that all WebSphere components are properly patched and configured according to IBM security best practices.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date application server security patches and proper role management implementation. The flaw represents a serious gap in the security model that could be exploited by attackers with local access to compromise entire application server environments. Organizations should implement regular security assessments and maintain updated vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting their WebSphere deployments. The remediation process requires careful planning and testing to ensure that security updates do not disrupt existing application functionality while addressing the underlying privilege escalation vulnerability that threatens system integrity and data confidentiality.