CVE-2016-2964 in Sametime
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sametime 8.5.2 and 9.0 under certain conditions provides an error message to a user that is too detailed and may reveal details about the application. IBM X-Force ID: 113813.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2964 affects IBM Sametime versions 8.5.2 and 9.0, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details through overly verbose error messages. This issue falls under the broader category of improper error handling within web applications, specifically manifesting as the exposure of internal application architecture information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in how the application processes and responds to error conditions, where error messages contain excessive technical details that should remain hidden from end users.
The technical flaw occurs when IBM Sametime encounters certain error conditions during user authentication or session management processes. Rather than presenting generic, user-friendly error messages that provide no actionable information to attackers, the system reveals detailed implementation specifics including internal directory structures, database configurations, and application component names. This exposure creates a significant risk for attackers who can leverage this information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-209, which specifically addresses the issue of error messages containing sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for Exploitation for Credential Access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to target other system components. When users encounter error conditions, the detailed messages can reveal the underlying technology stack, including server configurations, database types, and potentially even version-specific vulnerabilities that may exist within the IBM Sametime implementation. This information can be particularly dangerous when combined with other reconnaissance efforts, as it allows attackers to tailor their exploitation strategies to the specific environment they are targeting. The vulnerability essentially provides a roadmap to the system's internal structure, making subsequent attacks more likely to succeed.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including the configuration of generic error handling mechanisms that prevent detailed technical information from being exposed to end users. System administrators should review and modify error message templates to ensure they provide only minimal information necessary for user troubleshooting while concealing internal system details. The implementation of proper logging mechanisms can help track when these detailed error messages are generated, allowing for better monitoring of potential security incidents. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that error handling configurations remain effective and that no new pathways for information disclosure have been introduced through system updates or modifications. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices in error handling as outlined in industry standards and security frameworks that emphasize the principle of least privilege in information disclosure.