CVE-2015-2025 in WebSphere eXtreme Scale
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 7.1.0 before 7.1.0.3 and 7.1.1 before 7.1.1.1 does not set the secure flag for the session cookie in an https session, which makes it easier for remote attackers to capture this cookie by intercepting its transmission within an http session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2018
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale represents a distributed computing platform designed for high-performance data management and caching solutions within enterprise environments. This vulnerability affects specific versions of the platform's web container implementation, creating a critical security gap in session management protocols. The flaw exists in how the system handles HTTP over HTTPS communications, specifically in the configuration of session cookies that are essential for maintaining user authentication states across multiple requests. The vulnerability resides in the web server's response handling mechanism when processing secure connections, where session cookies are not properly configured to enforce secure transmission properties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of the secure flag in session cookie headers when the application operates over HTTPS connections. This flag serves as a critical security directive that instructs web browsers to transmit cookies only over encrypted connections and prevents their transmission over unencrypted HTTP channels. Without this flag, session cookies become vulnerable to interception during man-in-the-middle attacks or network eavesdropping scenarios where attackers can capture cookie data transmitted over HTTP protocols. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web container's session management module, which fails to properly configure cookie attributes during secure session establishment, creating a persistent security weakness that affects all authenticated sessions within the affected versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking scenarios, creating potential pathways for credential theft, unauthorized access, and privilege escalation within enterprise environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic between clients and servers, particularly in environments where HTTP and HTTPS protocols are mixed or where network monitoring tools are present. This vulnerability directly enables session fixation attacks and cookie theft operations that can compromise user authentication states, potentially allowing attackers to assume legitimate user identities within the WebSphere environment. The risk is particularly elevated in corporate networks where sensitive data processing occurs, as compromised session cookies can provide access to confidential business information and administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which specifically addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive information, and represents a failure in secure session management practices that violates fundamental web security principles.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 7.1.0.3 or 7.1.1.1, where the secure flag is properly enforced for session cookies. Additionally, network administrators should deploy proper traffic encryption controls and implement network segmentation to reduce attack surface exposure. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous session cookie transmission patterns, and organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions. The implementation of additional security controls such as secure HTTP headers, proper network access controls, and enhanced monitoring of authentication events can provide layered defense against exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which involves credential harvesting through various attack vectors including session hijacking and cookie theft, making it a critical target for immediate remediation efforts within enterprise security programs.