CVE-2017-1137 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0 and 8.5.5 could provide weaker than expected security. A remote attacker could exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive information and gain unauthorized access to the admin console. IBM X-Force ID: 121549.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.0 and 8.5.5 contained a critical security vulnerability that undermined the expected cryptographic protections within the application server environment. This weakness specifically affected the server's ability to properly enforce security measures, creating opportunities for unauthorized access to administrative interfaces and sensitive data. The vulnerability stemmed from improper implementation of security protocols that allowed attackers to bypass expected authentication mechanisms and access restricted administrative functions.
The technical flaw manifested in the application server's handling of security tokens and authentication processes, where the system failed to adequately validate session management and access controls. Attackers could exploit this weakness remotely without requiring prior authentication credentials, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the administrative console and potentially full system control.
This security weakness directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues and improper implementation of security protocols. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as it enabled attackers to gain unauthorized access through weakened security controls that should have prevented such access. The flaw created a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive information stored within the application server environment.
Organizations running affected IBM WebSphere versions faced significant operational risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and complete administrative control loss. The remote exploit capability meant that attackers could target these systems from outside the organization's network perimeter, making traditional network-based security controls insufficient to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also posed risks to business continuity and regulatory compliance, particularly for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries.
Mitigation strategies included immediate application of IBM security patches and fixes released for the affected versions, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and enhanced monitoring of authentication attempts and administrative console access. Organizations should have reviewed their access control policies and implemented additional security measures such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access. The incident highlighted the importance of regular security updates and proper security configuration management to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.