CVE-2016-0245 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
The XML parser in IBM WebSphere Portal 8.0.x before 8.0.0.1 CF20 and 8.5.x before 8.5.0.0 CF10 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files or cause a denial of service via an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0245 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within IBM WebSphere Portal software versions 8.0.x prior to 8.0.0.1 CF20 and 8.5.x prior to 8.5.0.0 CF10. This security weakness resides in the XML parser component that processes incoming XML data within the portal environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted XML requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the parser encounters external entity declarations combined with entity references, allowing unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected. This issue falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, making it a well-documented and recognized vulnerability pattern in software security assessments.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to perform unauthorized file system operations by leveraging XML entity declarations that reference local files on the server. When an attacker crafts a malicious XML payload containing external entity declarations, the vulnerable parser processes these entities and may inadvertently read sensitive files from the system filesystem, potentially exposing confidential data such as configuration files, user credentials, or application source code. Additionally, the same exploitation vector can be used to cause denial of service conditions by triggering resource exhaustion or malformed XML processing errors that disrupt normal application functionality. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can be combined with other attack techniques to create more sophisticated exploitation scenarios.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM WebSphere Portal as their primary web application platform. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, but this requirement does not eliminate the severity of the potential impact. The ability to read arbitrary files provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive information that could be used for further attacks or system compromise. The denial of service component can disrupt business operations and create availability issues for legitimate users. Organizations implementing IBM WebSphere Portal in production environments face the risk of data breaches, service interruptions, and potential regulatory compliance violations if this vulnerability remains unpatched. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability aspects of the CIA triad, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-0245 involves applying the official patches and cumulative fixes provided by IBM for the affected WebSphere Portal versions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched versions 8.0.0.1 CF20 and 8.5.0.0 CF10 or later to address the XXE vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement XML parser configuration changes that disable external entity processing and restrict the use of DTDs within the application. Network-level controls including firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious XML traffic patterns, while application-level input validation should be strengthened to prevent malicious XML content from reaching the parser. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all WebSphere Portal instances are properly configured to prevent similar XXE vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1213 technique for Data from Information Repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to system information through XML parsing mechanisms, making it a significant concern for organizations following enterprise security frameworks.