Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache log4j affect IBM WebSphere Application Server (CVE-2021-45105, CVE-2021-44832)

Summary

There is a vulnerability in the Apache log4j library used by IBM WebSphere Application Server traditional in the Admin Console and UDDI Registry application. This has been addressed in IBM WebSphere Application Server by removing log4j from the Admin Console and UDDI Registry application.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:CVE-2021-45105
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by the failure to protect from uncontrolled recursion from self-referential lookups. A remote attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data could craft malicious input data that contains a recursive lookup to cause a StackOverflowError that will terminate the process. Note: The vulnerability is also called LOG4J2-3230.
CVSS Base score: 7.5
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/215647 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)

CVEID:CVE-2021-44832
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j could allow a remote attacker with permission to modify the logging configuration file to execute arbitrary code on the system. By constructing a malicious configuration using a JDBC Appender with a data source referencing a JNDI URI , an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute remote code.
CVSS Base score: 6.6
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/216189 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

Remediation/Fixes

The recommended solution is to apply the interim fix, Fix Pack or PTF containing the APAR PH42762 for each named product as soon as possible. The interim fix PH42762 was provided previously with Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache log4j affect the IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty (CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-45046) and the interim fix PH42762 addresses these vulnerabilities for the affected IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 and 9.0 versions. Note: IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0 and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty are not affected.

For WebSphere Application Server traditional:

For V9.0.0.0 through 9.0.5.10:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PH42762
--OR–
· Apply Fix Pack 9.0.5.11 or later (when available).

For V8.5.0.0 through 8.5.5.20:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PH42762
--OR–
· Apply Fix Pack 8.5.5.21 or later (when available).

Additional interim fixes may be available and linked off the interim fix download page.

After applying the interim fix, follow the Required next steps provided previously with Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache log4j affect the IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty (CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-45046)

Workarounds and Mitigations

If the interim fixes in PH42762 cannot be applied immediately, and the mitigation steps have not been applied previously for Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache log4j affect the IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty (CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-45046), then follow the temporary mitigation steps for WebSphere Application Server traditional in Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache log4j affect the IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty (CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-45046). Due to the severity, complexity, and evolving nature of the situation, no mitigation is recommended as a substitute for patching.