CVE-2015-4947 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Administration Server in IBM HTTP Server 6.1.0.x through 6.1.0.47, 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.39, 8.0.0.x before 8.0.0.12, and 8.5.x before 8.5.5.7, as used in WebSphere Application Server and other products, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4947 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting IBM HTTP Server versions within specific release ranges. This flaw exists within the Administration Server component of the web server software, which serves as a management interface for configuring and monitoring the server operations. The affected versions span across multiple major releases including 6.1.0.x through 6.1.0.47, 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.39, 8.0.0.x before 8.0.0.12, and 8.5.x before 8.5.5.7. The vulnerability's presence in WebSphere Application Server and other IBM products creates widespread exposure across enterprise web infrastructure deployments where these components are utilized.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the Administration Server's handling of input data structures, specifically when processing requests through unspecified vectors that trigger memory corruption. This stack-based overflow allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow indicates that the flaw stems from improper bounds checking during buffer manipulation, where input data exceeds the allocated stack memory space. The attack requires authentication to the Administration Server interface, meaning that only authenticated users can exploit this vulnerability, though this limitation does not mitigate the severity of potential impact.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4947 is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected organizations. Successful exploitation enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Administration Server process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This capability allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects critical enterprise infrastructure components that often serve as primary entry points for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to organizational networks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WebSphere Application Server and IBM HTTP Server are deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4947 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must ensure that all instances of IBM HTTP Server within the specified vulnerable versions are upgraded to patched releases, particularly focusing on the WebSphere Application Server environments where the vulnerability is most prevalent. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the Administration Server interface, limiting the attack surface by reducing the number of authenticated users with access to management functions. Additionally, monitoring and logging of Administration Server activities should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, with security teams implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and script injection, making defensive measures that focus on input validation and privilege separation particularly effective.