CVE-2016-9740 in QRadar
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar 7.2 could allow a remote attacker to consume all resources on the server due to not properly restricting the size or amount of resources requested by an actor. IBM Reference #: 1999556.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
IBM QRadar version 7.2 contains a resource exhaustion vulnerability that enables remote attackers to consume all available server resources through improper restriction of resource requests. This flaw exists in the system's handling of incoming requests where there are insufficient controls to limit the size or quantity of resources that can be requested by a malicious actor. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management mechanisms within the QRadar platform's processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting specially crafted requests that gradually or immediately deplete system resources such as memory, CPU cycles, or disk space, leading to denial of service conditions that affect legitimate users and system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to leverage the platform's resource allocation mechanisms without proper constraints on request parameters. This type of attack falls under the category of resource exhaustion or denial of service attacks where the system becomes unavailable due to resource depletion. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the core processing level of the QRadar platform, affecting fundamental system operations and potentially disrupting security monitoring capabilities that organizations rely on for threat detection and incident response. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices and lacks proper rate limiting or resource consumption controls that should be implemented at multiple layers of the application architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of security monitoring operations within organizations using IBM QRadar. When exploited successfully, the attack can render the system unresponsive to legitimate requests, preventing security analysts from accessing critical threat intelligence or performing essential monitoring tasks. This creates a dangerous situation where the very system designed to protect against cyber threats becomes vulnerable to attacks that can disable its protective capabilities. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors and potentially automated attack tools. Organizations may experience extended downtime while investigating and remediating the affected systems, potentially creating windows of vulnerability where actual security incidents can go undetected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing strict resource limits and request validation mechanisms within the QRadar platform configuration. Organizations should deploy network-level controls such as rate limiting and traffic shaping to prevent excessive resource consumption from reaching the affected systems. The implementation of proper input validation and resource consumption monitoring should be enforced at multiple levels including network firewalls, application-level controls, and system-level resource management policies. Security teams should also establish automated alerting mechanisms that can detect unusual resource consumption patterns and trigger immediate response procedures. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities, while network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400 which specifically addresses uncontrolled resource consumption and represents a significant risk to system availability and operational security. The attack pattern follows typical denial of service methodologies documented in the ATT&CK framework under the service stop technique category.