CVE-2016-3045 in Security Access Manager For Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web stores sensitive information in URL parameters. This may lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties have access to the URLs via server logs, referer header or browser history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM Security Access Manager for Web contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper handling of sensitive data within URL parameters. The flaw resides in the application's design where confidential information such as authentication tokens, session identifiers, or user credentials are directly embedded into Uniform Resource Locator structures rather than being securely transmitted through HTTP headers or encrypted channels. This architectural weakness creates a persistent exposure vector that violates fundamental security principles of data protection and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to obtain sensitive information through multiple attack vectors that leverage the inherent characteristics of URL-based data transmission. When users navigate through the web application, their session data becomes visible in the URL parameters, which are automatically logged by web servers, cached by browsers, and transmitted through HTTP referer headers during navigation between pages. This creates an environment where unauthorized parties can access the sensitive data through server log files, browser history, proxy server logs, or even through network traffic analysis tools that capture HTTP requests. The vulnerability essentially transforms a secure session management mechanism into an insecure data transmission channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential authentication bypass scenarios and privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who gains access to URL parameters containing sensitive session data can potentially impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access to protected resources, or escalate privileges within the application. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where multiple users share the same network infrastructure or where server logs are not properly secured and monitored. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and compromises the confidentiality of user sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the stolen session data can be used to access administrative functions.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including disabling URL-based session management, implementing proper input validation and sanitization of URL parameters, and ensuring that sensitive data is never transmitted through URL structures. Organizations must also enhance their server log management practices to prevent unauthorized access to log files containing sensitive information and implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unusual URL parameter patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of the principle of secure session management. From an attack perspective, this flaw can be categorized under the attack technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: web protocols, and T1566 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and URL rewriting mechanisms to prevent sensitive data from appearing in URL parameters.