CVE-2019-4112 in WebSphere eXtreme Scale
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 8.6 Admin Console allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 158105.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2023
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 8.6 Admin Console contains a critical security flaw that enables improper access control and information disclosure vulnerabilities through local file storage mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface where web pages are cached or stored locally on the system filesystem, creating a potential attack vector for privilege escalation and data theft. The flaw stems from inadequate sandboxing and access control mechanisms that fail to properly isolate user sessions and their associated temporary files, allowing one authenticated user to potentially access or read files created by another user within the same system environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to enforce proper file system permissions and user isolation when storing temporary web content or administrative pages locally. This misconfiguration creates a path for cross-user information leakage where session-specific data, cached pages, or administrative content can be accessed by unauthorized individuals with access to the same system. The issue manifests when the system stores web content in shared directories or temporary file locations without implementing proper access controls that would normally prevent inter-user file access. This weakness directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation in web application environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. An attacker who gains access to the system could leverage this flaw to read sensitive administrative information, potentially including configuration details, user credentials, or system metadata that could be used to further compromise the environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale in multi-tenant environments where multiple users or applications share the same system resources. This creates a significant risk for enterprises where administrative access to one user's session could provide unauthorized access to other users' data or system configurations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper file system access controls and user isolation mechanisms within the WebSphere eXtreme Scale environment. Organizations should ensure that all temporary files and cached content are stored in properly secured directories with appropriate permissions that prevent cross-user access. The implementation of secure temporary file handling, including proper directory permissions, file ownership controls, and regular cleanup procedures, can significantly reduce the risk of this vulnerability being exploited. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit direct system access, while monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts. Organizations should also evaluate their current security posture through vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify any additional related weaknesses in their WebSphere deployments, aligning with recommended practices from the ATT&CK framework for credential access and privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper sandboxing mechanisms and access control implementation in web applications, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with shared administrative interfaces.