CVE-2020-4336 in WebSphere eXtreme Scale
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2021
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 8.6.1 stores sensitive information in URL parameters. This may lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties have access to the URLs via server logs, referrer header or browser history. IBM X-Force ID: 177932.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2026
IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 8.6.1 contains a vulnerability classified as insufficient logging and monitoring that allows sensitive information to be stored in URL parameters. This weakness creates an information disclosure risk when unauthorized parties gain access to server logs, referrer headers, or browser history where these URLs are recorded. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of sensitive data within the Uniform Resource Locator structure, which violates security best practices for protecting confidential information. According to the CWE database, this represents a variant of CWE-598, which specifically addresses information exposure through URL parameters that contain sensitive data. The flaw enables attackers who can access web server logs or monitor network traffic to extract credentials, session identifiers, or other confidential information directly from URL strings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application framework automatically includes sensitive parameters within URL structures without proper sanitization or encryption. This design flaw allows any party with access to the web server's request logging facilities to view these parameters in plain text format. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with sufficient data to conduct further attacks including session hijacking, credential reuse attacks, or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system by creating persistent exposure points within the application's communication channels. When combined with other attack vectors such as man-in-the-middle attacks or cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, this weakness can significantly amplify the security risk to the overall system infrastructure.
Organizations using IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale 8.6.1 should implement immediate mitigations including disabling URL parameter logging in server configurations and implementing proper input validation for all parameters that may contain sensitive data. The recommended approach involves configuring the application framework to avoid storing confidential information within URL structures entirely, instead utilizing secure session management mechanisms or encrypted communication channels. Organizations should also review their web server logging configurations to ensure sensitive parameters are not captured in log files, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for credential access and defense evasion techniques. Additionally, implementing proper access controls on server logs and monitoring systems can reduce the attack surface by limiting who can access potentially sensitive information within URL parameters, thereby reducing the overall risk of unauthorized information disclosure.