CVE-2016-2861 in WebSphere eXtreme Scale
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 7.1.0 before 7.1.0.3, 7.1.1 before 7.1.1.1, 8.5 before 8.5.0.3, and 8.6 before 8.6.0.8 does not properly encrypt data, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2019
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale versions prior to specific patch levels contain a critical cryptographic vulnerability that undermines the security of data transmission across network channels. This vulnerability stems from improper implementation of encryption protocols within the application server framework, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to intercept and decipher sensitive information transmitted over network connections. The flaw affects multiple major release versions including 7.1.0.x, 7.1.1.x, 8.5.x, and 8.6.x, indicating a widespread issue within the product line that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams.
The technical implementation of data encryption within IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale fails to adequately protect sensitive information during transit, creating a scenario where network traffic can be captured and analyzed by unauthorized parties. This weakness enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks or passive network monitoring to extract confidential data including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical data that should remain protected during transmission. The vulnerability specifically impacts the encryption mechanisms used for data serialization and network communication, allowing attackers to exploit weak cryptographic implementations that do not properly secure data in transit. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation that falls under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms and implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality guarantees that organizations rely upon when deploying enterprise application servers. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct passive reconnaissance and data harvesting activities without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. The affected systems become susceptible to information disclosure attacks that can result in financial loss, regulatory compliance violations, and damage to organizational reputation. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches and potential regulatory penalties under various compliance frameworks including pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr requirements. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require significant technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors of varying skill levels.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate patching of affected IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale installations to the recommended versions that address the cryptographic implementation flaws. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish robust key management practices to ensure proper encryption implementation. The remediation process requires careful planning to minimize service disruption while ensuring complete vulnerability resolution. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software and implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing alternative encryption mechanisms and monitoring solutions to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through network sniffing and credential access through data interception, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the technical flaw and potential exploitation patterns.