CVE-2018-1902 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to spoof connection information which could be used to launch further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 152531.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 contain a vulnerability that enables remote attackers to spoof connection information, creating a significant security risk that could facilitate subsequent attacks against the affected systems. This flaw resides in the server's handling of connection metadata and authentication mechanisms, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate network connection details and present false identity information to the application server. The vulnerability specifically impacts the server's ability to properly validate and authenticate connection parameters, which could be exploited to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected resources within the application environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of connection headers and metadata that WebSphere Application Server uses to establish and maintain secure communication channels. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious connection requests that appear legitimate to the server's authentication subsystem. This spoofing capability enables adversaries to potentially impersonate authorized users or systems, undermining the integrity of the server's security model. The flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate the connection information that the server relies upon to verify client identities and establish secure sessions, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a critical weakness in the server's identity verification mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple connection spoofing, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and lateral movement within network environments. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the application server, potentially gaining access to sensitive business applications and data stored within the WebSphere environment. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating a widespread exposure across enterprise deployments that could include critical business applications, financial systems, and other sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely heavily on WebSphere for enterprise application hosting, as the spoofing capability could be used to bypass security controls that depend on accurate connection information for access decisions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates released for this vulnerability, as well as configuring additional network-level controls to monitor and validate connection information. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also review and strengthen authentication mechanisms within WebSphere environments, implementing additional verification steps beyond the default configuration. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1071 for application layer protocol usage suggests that exploitation could enable broader attack chains involving data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual connection metadata patterns and establish baseline behaviors for normal server operations to identify potential exploitation attempts.