CVE-2016-8982 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server stores sensitive information in URL parameters. This may lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties have access to the URLs via server logs, referrer header or browser history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
IBM InfoSphere Information Server contains a security vulnerability that allows sensitive information to be stored directly within URL parameters, creating a significant exposure risk for organizations relying on this platform for data integration and governance. The flaw resides in how the system handles authentication tokens, session identifiers, and other confidential data during web-based interactions, where these elements are embedded in the Uniform Resource Locator structure rather than being properly secured within server-side sessions or encrypted containers. This design decision fundamentally undermines the security model of the application by making sensitive data accessible through standard web access patterns that are typically logged and transmitted through various network components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication and session management within the web interface of InfoSphere Information Server. When users navigate through the application or perform certain operations, the system generates URLs that contain encoded sensitive information such as user credentials, session tokens, or access control data. These parameters are not only visible in browser address bars but also get recorded in server access logs, browser history, and transmitted through referrer headers when users navigate between different web pages or systems. The vulnerability manifests as a direct information disclosure issue where any party with access to these log files, browser history, or network traffic can extract and potentially exploit the sensitive data contained within these URL parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable various attack vectors that could compromise the entire information governance framework. An attacker who gains access to server logs or can monitor network traffic can extract session tokens and authentication data, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the information server without proper credentials. This exposure creates risks for organizations handling sensitive data where the URL parameters might contain not only session identifiers but also data access permissions, user roles, or other privileged information. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where InfoSphere Information Server is deployed in multi-tenant or shared infrastructure scenarios where log files might be accessible to unauthorized parties or where network monitoring is not properly secured.
The security implications align with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper handling of sensitive data in web applications, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through phishing and T1552 for data hijacking through network traffic interception. Organizations using this platform face increased risk of privilege escalation attacks, unauthorized data access, and potential data breaches when this vulnerability remains unaddressed. The exposure affects not only individual user sessions but can also compromise the integrity of the entire information governance system by allowing attackers to reconstruct valid sessions or extract access controls that should remain protected within the application's secure session management framework.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of URL parameter sanitization and session management improvements within the InfoSphere Information Server environment. Organizations should ensure that sensitive information is never stored in URL parameters by implementing proper server-side session handling, utilizing secure token management systems, and configuring web applications to use POST requests for sensitive operations rather than GET requests that embed data in URLs. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to generate temporary, secure session identifiers that are stored server-side and referenced through short-lived tokens rather than embedding sensitive data directly in URL structures. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls on server log files and network monitoring systems to prevent unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information that might be logged during normal operation of the application.