CVE-2017-1283 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere MQ 8.0 and 9.0 could allow an authenticated user to cause a shared memory leak by MQ applications using dynamic queues, which can lead to lack of resources for other MQ applications. IBM X-Force ID: 125144.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 and 9.0 contain a memory management vulnerability that affects shared memory allocation within the messaging infrastructure. This flaw specifically impacts applications that utilize dynamic queues, which are temporary queue objects created and destroyed during runtime operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of shared memory segments when dynamic queues are employed, leading to memory allocation that is not properly released back to the system. According to CWE-401, this represents a classic memory leak condition where allocated resources are not correctly deallocated, creating a gradual consumption of available memory resources. The shared memory leak occurs during the lifecycle management of dynamic queue objects, where the system fails to properly clean up memory segments that are associated with these temporary queue structures. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users who can leverage their access privileges to trigger the memory leak condition, making it exploitable within the bounds of legitimate system usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can significantly degrade system performance and potentially cause service disruption for other MQ applications running on the same system. When shared memory segments accumulate without proper cleanup, the system gradually consumes available memory resources that are critical for maintaining optimal messaging throughput and reliability. This memory leak can compound over time, especially in high-volume messaging environments where dynamic queues are frequently created and destroyed. The vulnerability creates a scenario where legitimate application operations can inadvertently consume system resources that should remain available for other critical messaging functions. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004 (Resource Hijacking) where an attacker can consume system resources to degrade performance or availability of services. The impact becomes particularly severe in production environments where multiple applications depend on consistent memory allocation for proper operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate system-level interventions and long-term architectural considerations. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns and identify abnormal consumption that may indicate the presence of this memory leak. Regular system maintenance and restart procedures can help mitigate the accumulation of leaked memory segments, though this approach provides only temporary relief. IBM released specific patches and fixes for this vulnerability that address the improper shared memory cleanup behavior in the dynamic queue management code. Organizations should prioritize applying these security updates to all affected WebSphere MQ installations to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing resource limits and memory allocation controls within the application environment can help contain the impact of memory leaks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in messaging systems and highlights how even authenticated users can cause significant operational disruption through seemingly legitimate application behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level monitoring to detect unusual patterns in queue creation and destruction that may indicate memory leak conditions. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for comprehensive memory management practices in enterprise messaging systems where resource exhaustion can have cascading effects on overall system stability and performance.