Security Bulletin: Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in WebSphere Application Server (CVE-2017-1151)

Summary

There is a potential privilege escalation vulnerability in WebSphere Application Server traditional when using the OpenID Connect (OIDC) Trust Association Interceptor (TAI). This does not affect WebSphere Application Server Liberty.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID: CVE-2017-1151**
DESCRIPTION:** IBM WebSphere Application Server configured with OpenID Connect (OIDC) Trust Association Interceptor (TAI) could allow a user to gain elevated privileges on the system.
CVSS Base Score: 8.1
CVSS Temporal Score: See https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/122292 for the current score
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

This vulnerability affects the following versions and releases of IBM WebSphere Application Server traditional:
Version 9.0
Version 8.5
Version 8.0

Remediation/Fixes

The recommended solution is to apply the interim fix, Fix Pack or PTF containing APAR PI74857 for each named product as soon as practical. NOTE:If you are operating in a cluster, the interim fix must be applied to each cluster member. ** **
For WebSphere Application Server traditional and WebSphere Application Server Hypervisor edition:
**
For V9.0.0.0 through 9.0.0.3:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PI74857
--OR–
· Apply Fix Pack 9.0.0.4 or later.
**
For V8.5.5.3 through 8.5.5.11:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PI74857
--OR–
· Apply Fix Pack 8.5.5.12 or later.
**
For V8.0.0.10 through 8.0.0.13:**
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PI74857
--OR–
· Apply Fix Pack 8.0.0.14 or later.
** ****REMINDER:**If you are operating in a cluster, the interim fix must be applied to each cluster member.

Workarounds and Mitigations

Change the value for the com.ibm.websphere.security.InvokeTAIbeforeSSO custom property to not include the OIDC TAI class name: com.ibm.ws.security.oidc.client.RelyingParty. This property can be updated from the Administrative Console > Global Security > Custom Properties panel. When InvokeTAIbeforeSSO is not enabled for the OIDC TAI class, the timeout for the user login will be that of the LTPA token.

For more information about changing custom properties please refer to the knowledge center: <https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSAW57_9.0.0/com.ibm.websphere.nd.multiplatform.doc/ae/tsec_custprop_del.html&gt;