CVE-2018-1419 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere MQ 8.0 and 9.0, when configured to use a PAM module for authentication, could allow a user to cause a deadlock in the IBM MQ PAM code which could result in a denial of service. IBM X-Force ID: 138949.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2023
IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 and 9.0 contain a critical vulnerability in their Pluggable Authentication Module PAM integration that creates a potential deadlock condition during authentication processes. This vulnerability specifically affects systems configured to utilize PAM modules for user authentication, where the IBM MQ PAM code implementation fails to properly handle concurrent authentication requests. The flaw manifests when multiple authentication attempts occur simultaneously, causing the PAM authentication subsystem to enter a deadlock state where threads become indefinitely blocked waiting for resources that will never be released. This condition directly impacts the availability of the messaging queue system, as legitimate authentication requests cannot proceed while the deadlock persists.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper thread synchronization mechanisms within the IBM MQ PAM integration code. When concurrent authentication requests are processed, the system fails to implement proper locking mechanisms or resource management protocols that would prevent multiple threads from attempting to access shared PAM resources simultaneously. This synchronization failure creates a classic deadlock scenario where authentication threads wait indefinitely for each other to release locks on critical PAM resources, resulting in a complete denial of service condition. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes race conditions that can lead to security flaws through improper synchronization. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to mission-critical messaging infrastructure where continuous availability is essential for business operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects the fundamental authentication mechanism of the messaging system. Organizations utilizing IBM WebSphere MQ in production environments face potential business disruption when authentication services become unavailable due to the deadlock condition. The denial of service can affect all users attempting to authenticate against the system, potentially impacting critical data exchange processes and business continuity. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by initiating multiple simultaneous authentication requests, creating the conditions necessary for the deadlock to occur and maintaining the denial of service state until the system is manually restarted or the deadlock resolves itself. This scenario particularly affects environments where high availability and continuous operation are required, such as financial services, healthcare systems, or telecommunications infrastructure. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or system locking mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the synchronization issues in the PAM integration code. System administrators should consider temporarily disabling PAM authentication modules if immediate patching is not feasible, while implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate the onset of a deadlock condition. Additionally, organizations should review their authentication configurations to minimize the risk of concurrent authentication requests that could trigger the vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing proper resource management protocols, establishing authentication request queuing mechanisms, and ensuring that authentication subsystems maintain adequate isolation between concurrent operations. Organizations should also consider implementing redundancy measures and failover mechanisms to maintain service availability during potential vulnerability exploitation scenarios.