CVE-2015-7472 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Portal 6.1.0 through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5 through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0.0 through 7.0.0.2 CF29, 8.0.0 before 8.0.0.1 CF20, and 8.5.0 before CF10 allows remote attackers to conduct LDAP injection attacks, and consequently read or write to repository data, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
IBM WebSphere Portal versions 6.1.0 through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5 through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0.0 through 7.0.0.2 CF29, 8.0.0 before 8.0.0.1 CF20, and 8.5.0 before CF10 contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute LDAP injection attacks. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the LDAP query construction mechanisms used by the portal's authentication and authorization components. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate LDAP queries through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive repository data and the ability to read or write to underlying data stores.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input within LDAP search filters and bind operations. When users authenticate or when the system processes directory-based queries, the application constructs LDAP queries by concatenating user input directly into the query strings without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This creates an injection vector where malicious input can alter the intended LDAP query structure, potentially bypassing authentication controls or gaining access to restricted data sets. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-91 as improper neutralization of special elements used in an LDAP query, which is a well-documented weakness in directory service applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform directory traversal attacks, escalate privileges, and potentially gain access to sensitive user accounts, system configurations, and enterprise data repositories. The ability to read and write to repository data means that attackers could modify user permissions, access confidential information, or even compromise the integrity of the entire portal infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on LDAP-based authentication and directory services, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the directory integration mechanisms. The attack surface is broad since LDAP injection can occur during various portal operations including user authentication, group membership queries, and attribute lookups.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch application from IBM, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization for LDAP query construction. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the WebSphere Portal servers, particularly those handling directory services. Additional defensive measures include enabling LDAP query parameterization, implementing strict input validation at all entry points, and conducting regular security assessments of directory integration components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage compromised directory access to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within the enterprise environment. Security monitoring should focus on unusual LDAP query patterns and authentication attempts that may indicate injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect and block LDAP injection attempts targeting these vulnerable components.