CVE-2017-1151 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, 8.5.5, and 9.0 using OpenID Connect (OIDC) configured with a Trust Association Interceptor (TAI) could allow a user to gain elevated privileges on the system. IBM Reference #: 1999293.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1151 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.0, 8.5, 8.5.5, and 9.0 when configured with OpenID Connect authentication and Trust Association Interceptor functionality. This security flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that could potentially allow unauthorized users to elevate their system privileges. The issue stems from improper validation of authentication tokens within the OpenID Connect implementation, specifically when integrated with the Trust Association Interceptor component that handles authentication delegation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple major versions of the WebSphere Application Server platform, indicating a widespread potential impact across enterprise deployments.
The technical flaw manifests in the Trust Association Interceptor's handling of OpenID Connect authentication responses where the system fails to properly validate the identity claims contained within the authentication tokens. This validation gap allows an attacker to manipulate or forge authentication tokens that would otherwise be rejected by proper security controls. The vulnerability specifically impacts the OIDC configuration when combined with TAI, creating a scenario where authentication bypass can occur through manipulation of the token validation process. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and more specifically to CWE-305 which deals with authentication bypass using old credentials or tokens. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to exploit the trust relationship established by the TAI component, potentially enabling them to assume elevated privileges within the application server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass as it creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks that could compromise the entire application server infrastructure. Organizations utilizing WebSphere Application Server with OpenID Connect and TAI configurations are at risk of unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data. The vulnerability could enable attackers to perform actions such as accessing restricted administrative functions, modifying application configurations, or gaining access to protected resources that should only be available to authorized users. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where WebSphere serves as a critical application platform and where the compromise of authentication mechanisms could lead to broader system infiltration. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation sub-technique which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in authentication systems to gain higher privileges.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the authentication validation flaw in the Trust Association Interceptor component. System administrators should also consider temporarily disabling OpenID Connect configurations or implementing additional authentication layers to reduce the attack surface. Configuration reviews should focus on ensuring proper token validation procedures are in place and that the TAI component is properly secured against unauthorized manipulation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or token validation failures that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication token validation and the potential risks associated with complex authentication delegation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining proper audit logging to track authentication events and identify any unauthorized access attempts.