Source: psirt@us.ibm.com
IBM WebSphere Portal 6.1.0 through 6.1.0.6 CF27, 6.1.5 through 6.1.5.3 CF27, 7.0.0 through 7.0.0.2 CF29, 8.0.0 before 8.0.0.1 CF20, and 8.5.0 before CF09 allows remote attackers to bypass intended Portal AccessControl REST API access restrictions and obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
IBM WebSphere Portal is vulnerable to a critical flaw that allows remote attackers to bypass access controls and steal sensitive information. This vulnerability, affecting multiple versions, could lead to data breaches and compromise of confidential data. Organizations using the affected versions should immediately apply the provided patches.
Step 1: Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies a vulnerable WebSphere Portal instance and determines its version.
Step 2: Crafting the Malicious Request: The attacker crafts a specially crafted request to the Portal AccessControl REST API. This request is designed to bypass the intended access restrictions.
Step 3: Bypassing Access Controls: The crafted request exploits a flaw in the API's access control logic, allowing the attacker to bypass authentication or authorization checks.
Step 4: Information Disclosure: The attacker successfully retrieves sensitive information, such as user credentials, configuration details, or other confidential data, that they should not have access to.
Step 5: Data Exfiltration (Optional): The attacker may exfiltrate the stolen data to an external server.
The vulnerability lies within the Portal AccessControl REST API, specifically in how it handles access restrictions. The root cause is likely an improper implementation of access control checks, potentially due to a logic flaw or a missing authentication/authorization check. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that bypasses the intended security measures, enabling them to retrieve sensitive data that they should not have access to. The specific flaw is not explicitly detailed in the CVE description, but it highlights a weakness in the API's security model. The vulnerability is likely related to how the API handles user roles, permissions, or session management, allowing unauthorized access to protected resources. Further analysis would require reverse engineering the affected code to pinpoint the exact function or logic responsible for the flaw.
Due to the nature of the vulnerability, it is likely that various threat actors, including both financially motivated and state-sponsored groups, could exploit this vulnerability. There is no specific APT attribution available in the CVE description. The potential for data breaches makes this a high-value target. CISA KEV status is unknown, but likely not present due to the age of the vulnerability.
Monitor WebSphere Portal server logs for suspicious activity, such as unusual API requests or unauthorized access attempts.
Analyze network traffic for unusual patterns, such as requests to the Portal AccessControl REST API with unexpected parameters or payloads.
Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to identify and block malicious requests.
Review audit logs for changes to user permissions or access control settings.
Monitor for data exfiltration attempts, such as large file transfers or unusual network connections.
Apply the security patches provided by IBM for the affected WebSphere Portal versions immediately.
Implement strong authentication and authorization mechanisms for all users and applications accessing the portal.
Regularly review and update access control policies to ensure they are up-to-date and effective.
Harden the WebSphere Portal server by disabling unnecessary services and features.
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious traffic and protect against common web attacks.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.