CVE-2015-4963 in Security Access Manager For Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web 7.x before 7.0.0.16 and 8.x before 8.0.1.3 mishandles WebSEAL HTTPTransformation requests, which allows remote attackers to read or write to arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4963 affects IBM Security Access Manager for Web versions 7.x prior to 7.0.0.16 and 8.x prior to 8.0.1.3, representing a critical security flaw in the WebSEAL component that handles HTTP transformation requests. This issue stems from improper handling of HTTP transformation mechanisms within the security access management framework, creating a path for remote attackers to exploit file system access controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the WebSEAL server component which acts as a reverse proxy and security gateway, processing HTTP requests and applying security policies before forwarding traffic to backend applications.
The technical flaw manifests through the mishandling of WebSEAL HTTPTransformation requests where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters that control file operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to construct malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal file access restrictions, enabling them to perform unauthorized read or write operations on arbitrary files within the system's file hierarchy. This improper validation creates a path for path traversal attacks where attacker-controlled input can manipulate the file system access patterns, potentially allowing access to sensitive configuration files, log files, or even system binaries. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the HTTP transformation layer, meaning it can affect requests before they reach the application layer, making it particularly dangerous for protecting enterprise web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a privilege escalation vector that could allow attackers to gain deeper system access. Remote attackers could potentially read sensitive system files including configuration data, credential stores, or application-specific files that contain confidential information. Additionally, the ability to write arbitrary files opens possibilities for code injection attacks, where malicious payloads could be written to web-accessible directories and executed by the web server. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, as it involves improper handling of file system paths through HTTP request parameters. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where IBM Security Access Manager for Web is deployed to protect critical web applications, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise or data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4963 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended versions 7.0.0.16 and 8.0.1.3, which contain the necessary fixes for the HTTP transformation request handling. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected WebSEAL components to untrusted networks, following principle of least privilege concepts. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP requests for suspicious path traversal patterns, conducting regular security assessments of the WebSEAL configuration, and establishing monitoring procedures for unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, indicating that exploitation could lead to broader system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing file system access violations. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be maintained to prevent similar issues in other components of the IBM Security Access Manager suite.