CVE-2017-1433 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere MQ 7.5, 8.0, and 9.0 could allow an authenticated user to insert messages with a corrupt RFH header into the channel which would cause it to restart. IBM X-Force ID: 127803.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2021
IBM WebSphere MQ versions 7.5, 8.0, and 9.0 contain a vulnerability that allows authenticated users to manipulate RFH (Report Format Header) headers within messages, potentially causing channel restarts. This flaw represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited by users who already possess valid credentials to the messaging system. The vulnerability specifically targets the channel processing logic when handling malformed RFH headers, creating a scenario where legitimate message processing becomes disrupted due to the corrupt header data. The issue stems from insufficient validation of RFH header structures during message ingestion, allowing attackers to craft malicious messages that trigger unexpected behavior in the messaging channel components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of RFH headers within message frames, where the system fails to properly validate the header format before processing. When a channel receives a message containing a corrupt RFH header, the internal processing logic encounters unexpected data structures that cause the channel to crash or restart. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input ranges, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of unintended, defective, or dangerous functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where the system does not adequately filter or validate the structure of RFH headers before attempting to process them within the channel context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged to cause repeated channel restarts that may lead to message loss and system instability. An authenticated attacker can repeatedly exploit this flaw to maintain persistent disruption of messaging services, potentially affecting critical business processes that depend on reliable message queuing. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, as it directly impacts the system's ability to maintain continuous operation. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network disruption, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing with social engineering. The attack requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where access controls may be insufficient.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation for RFH headers, applying the latest security patches from IBM, and configuring monitoring to detect unusual channel restart patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and limiting the number of authenticated users with privileges that could exploit this vulnerability. The fix involves strengthening the validation logic to ensure that RFH headers conform to expected formats before channel processing begins, preventing the corrupt headers from triggering the restart condition. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar validation gaps in messaging infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation in critical system components that handle external data flows.