CVE-2016-0385 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 before 7.0.0.43, 8.0 before 8.0.0.13, 8.5 before 8.5.5.10, 9.0 before 9.0.0.1, and Liberty before 16.0.0.3, when HttpSessionIdReuse is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0385 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to specific patch levels. This issue specifically manifests when the HttpSessionIdReuse feature is enabled, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to exploit the system and extract sensitive information. The affected versions span multiple major releases including WAS 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0, along with the Liberty profile, indicating a widespread impact across IBM's application server ecosystem. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software design that leads to memory corruption and potential code execution. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration options like HttpSessionIdReuse can create security vulnerabilities when combined with improper input validation and memory management practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of session identifiers within the WebSphere Application Server environment. When HttpSessionIdReuse is enabled, the server maintains session state across multiple requests, but the implementation fails to properly validate the length and content of session identifiers before processing them. This improper handling allows attackers to craft specially crafted session data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption. The overflow can potentially be leveraged to read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including session tokens, user credentials, or other confidential information stored within the application server's memory space. The attack vector requires authentication, meaning that an attacker must first establish a valid session within the application server before attempting to exploit this vulnerability, which adds a layer of complexity but does not eliminate the risk.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0385 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability can lead to more severe consequences including session hijacking, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive session information that may contain user authentication tokens, application-specific data, or other confidential business information. This type of vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting and T1071.004 for application layer protocol traffic, as it involves manipulating session management mechanisms to extract valuable information. Organizations running affected WebSphere versions face significant risk, particularly those with high-value applications or those handling sensitive user data, as the vulnerability can be exploited to undermine the integrity of the entire application server environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the buffer overflow in the HttpSessionIdReuse implementation. IBM released security fixes for all affected versions, with specific patch levels mentioned in the vulnerability description including WAS 7.0.0.43, 8.0.0.13, 8.5.5.10, 9.0.0.1, and Liberty 16.0.0.3. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems, as the vulnerability is remotely exploitable by authenticated users. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling HttpSessionIdReuse if the feature is not essential for their application requirements, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual session management patterns can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing and adherence to secure coding guidelines throughout the software development lifecycle.