CVE-2020-4329 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0 and Liberty 17.0.0.3 through 20.0.0.4 could allow a remote, authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by improper parameter checking. This could be exploited to conduct spoofing attacks. IBM X-Force ID: 177841.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and Liberty versions 17.0.0.3 through 20.0.0.4 contain a vulnerability classified as improper parameter checking that enables remote authenticated attackers to extract sensitive information. This weakness falls under CWE-20, which represents improper input validation, and creates an avenue for attackers to manipulate application parameters in ways that were not anticipated by the developers. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's handling of user-supplied data during authentication and authorization processes, where insufficient validation allows malicious actors to craft requests that bypass normal security controls.
The technical flaw manifests when the application server fails to adequately validate and sanitize input parameters that are used to determine user permissions and access rights. This improper parameter checking creates a condition where authenticated users can manipulate request parameters to gain unauthorized access to information that should be restricted. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has obtained valid credentials can leverage this weakness to conduct spoofing attacks. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that the flaw exists across multiple versions of the application server, making it a widespread concern for organizations that have not yet upgraded to patched versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables sophisticated spoofing attacks that can compromise the integrity of the authentication system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate other users within the system, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or conducting unauthorized transactions. The vulnerability's classification as remote and authenticated means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, but can exploit it from any location where they can establish a valid session with the application server. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems, and T1566 which covers phishing and social engineering attacks that can lead to authenticated sessions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates, as the flaw enables persistent access to sensitive system information. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing additional input validation measures at the application level, deploying network segmentation to limit access to critical application servers, and monitoring for anomalous authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious parameter manipulation attempts, while conducting thorough security assessments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the application stack that could be exploited in conjunction with this weakness. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions of IBM WebSphere Application Server underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the enterprise infrastructure.