CVE-2016-0307 in Connections
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Connections 5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading stack traces in returned responses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2020
IBM Connections 5.5 and earlier versions contain a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details through improperly handled error responses. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper error handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the system encounters an error condition and returns stack trace information directly in HTTP responses instead of implementing proper error masking or logging procedures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that trigger internal system errors, thereby gaining access to detailed technical information about the application's internal structure, including class names, method signatures, and file paths that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering as it provides attackers with comprehensive insights into the system architecture and potential attack vectors. Stack traces typically contain sensitive data such as database connection strings, file system locations, and internal application logic that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 which focuses on exploiting weaknesses in application error handling to extract sensitive information. The exposure of such information creates a significant risk for organizations as it reduces the attack surface and provides adversaries with the precise knowledge needed to craft targeted exploitation attempts against the application's underlying infrastructure.
Security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security design and requires immediate attention through proper patch management and configuration hardening. The remediation process involves implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent stack trace information from being exposed to end users or external parties. Organizations should configure their systems to log detailed error information internally while returning generic error messages to clients. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring tools can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding practices and proper error handling protocols as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.