CVE-2019-4304 in WebSphere Application Server Liberty
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions caused by improper session validation. IBM X-Force ID: 160950.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2023
IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty contains a security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to bypass critical access controls through flawed session validation mechanisms. This weakness resides in the server's authentication and authorization framework where session tokens are not properly validated, allowing unauthorized users to escalate privileges or gain access to restricted resources without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of session identifiers and their associated security attributes within the Liberty profile implementation, creating a path for malicious actors to exploit the authentication flow.
The technical flaw manifests when the Liberty server fails to adequately verify session state information during subsequent requests, permitting session hijacking or manipulation attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass the normal authentication checks, effectively allowing them to impersonate legitimate users or access administrative functions. This improper session validation represents a critical breakdown in the server's security architecture, where the session management component does not enforce proper security boundaries between authenticated and unauthenticated states. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the core of the application server's security model, affecting how the system handles user sessions and maintains access control policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized administrative access. Remote attackers could exploit this flaw to access sensitive application data, modify system configurations, or perform administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. Organizations running IBM WebSphere Liberty profiles may experience unauthorized access to web applications, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the affected applications process sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application environment, as attackers can bypass the security controls designed to protect against unauthorized access to protected resources.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the session validation flaws in the Liberty profile. Organizations should also review their session management configurations and implement additional security controls such as secure session token generation, proper session timeout mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring of authentication events. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, emphasizing the importance of proper session validation in maintaining secure application environments. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be reviewed to limit exposure, while comprehensive logging and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure that the session management mechanisms function as intended within the application server environment.