CVE-2015-1967 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
MQ Explorer in IBM WebSphere MQ before 8.0.0.3 does not recognize the absence of the compatibility-mode option, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network for a session in which TLS is not used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1967 affects IBM WebSphere MQ Explorer versions prior to 8.0.0.3, representing a significant security flaw in the messaging middleware's administrative interface. This issue stems from the MQ Explorer's failure to properly validate the compatibility-mode option during network communications, creating an avenue for attackers to exploit insecure session handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when TLS encryption is not properly enforced, allowing malicious actors to intercept and analyze network traffic to extract sensitive information.
The technical flaw resides in the application's network protocol handling and session management capabilities. When MQ Explorer establishes connections to WebSphere MQ servers, it should enforce proper security parameters including TLS usage and compatibility mode settings. However, the vulnerable implementation fails to recognize when the compatibility-mode option is absent or improperly configured, resulting in the system defaulting to less secure connection parameters. This misconfiguration enables attackers to perform network sniffing operations and capture session data that would normally be protected by encryption, particularly when TLS is not actively enforced during the communication process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gather sensitive data that could compromise the entire messaging infrastructure. An attacker capable of intercepting network traffic can exploit this weakness to obtain administrative credentials, message content, and other confidential information transmitted between the MQ Explorer and the WebSphere MQ server. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the messaging system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to critical business data and undermining the security posture of organizations relying on WebSphere MQ for their messaging requirements.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM WebSphere MQ Explorer version 8.0.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly enforce compatibility-mode validation. Network administrators should also implement strict monitoring of TLS usage and enforce mandatory encryption policies for all communications between MQ Explorer and server components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in security protocols, and represents a specific instance of improper enforcement of security policies as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1071.3. The remediation process should include comprehensive security assessments of existing messaging infrastructure to identify any other potential vulnerabilities related to connection handling and protocol enforcement mechanisms.