CVE-2015-7412 in DataPower Gateways
Summary
by MITRE
The GatewayScript modules on IBM DataPower Gateways with software 7.2.0.x before 7.2.0.1, when the GatewayScript decryption API or a JWE decrypt action is enabled, do not require signed ciphertext data, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain plaintext data via a padding-oracle attack.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7412 affects IBM DataPower Gateways running software versions 7.2.0.x before 7.2.0.1, specifically targeting the GatewayScript modules that handle decryption operations. This weakness stems from insufficient validation of ciphertext data integrity, creating a critical security gap that undermines the cryptographic protection mechanisms designed to secure sensitive data transmissions. The vulnerability manifests when GatewayScript decryption APIs or JWE decrypt actions are enabled, exposing systems to sophisticated attack vectors that exploit the lack of mandatory signature verification for encrypted data.
The technical flaw resides in the cryptographic implementation where the system fails to enforce mandatory signature validation for ciphertext data during decryption processes. This omission creates a padding-oracle attack surface that allows remote adversaries to systematically exploit the decryption mechanism through carefully crafted inputs. The vulnerability operates under the principle that when signature verification is not enforced, attackers can manipulate ciphertext data to observe decryption behavior changes, thereby inferring information about the underlying plaintext through iterative padding oracle attacks. This weakness directly maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of credential dumping and data manipulation techniques to extract sensitive information from protected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially decrypt sensitive information that should remain protected within the DataPower gateway environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform padding-oracle attacks that systematically reveal plaintext data through repeated decryption attempts and analysis of error responses. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where DataPower gateways typically handle critical business data, authentication tokens, and sensitive communication channels. Organizations using affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, credential compromise, and potential unauthorized access to protected systems. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of the gateway by undermining the confidentiality guarantees that cryptographic operations are designed to provide, creating opportunities for attackers to bypass security controls and access protected information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7412 primarily focus on applying the official software patches released by IBM for the affected DataPower gateway versions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to software version 7.2.0.1 or later, which includes the necessary cryptographic validation fixes that enforce mandatory signature verification for ciphertext data. Additionally, administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected gateways to untrusted networks. The configuration of GatewayScript modules should be reviewed to ensure that decryption APIs are only enabled when absolutely necessary, and that proper input validation is implemented at all levels of the gateway processing pipeline. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous decryption patterns that might indicate padding-oracle attack attempts, and organizations should consider implementing additional cryptographic validation layers where possible. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software versions within the enterprise infrastructure.