Security Bulletin: Vulnerability in RC4 stream cipher affects Rational Developer for i, Rational Developer for AIX and Linux, and Rational Developer for Power Systems Software (CVE-2015-2808)

Summary

The RC4 “Bar Mitzvah” Attack for SSL/TLS affects Rational Developer for i, Rational Developer for AIX and Linux, and Rational Developer for Power Systems Software.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID: CVE-2015-2808 DESCRIPTION: The RC4 algorithm, as used in the TLS protocol and SSL protocol, could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to remotely expose account credentials without requiring an active man-in-the-middle session. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to retrieve credit card data or other sensitive information. This vulnerability is commonly referred to as “Bar Mitzvah Attack”.
CVSS Base Score: 5
CVSS Temporal Score: See https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/101851 for the current score
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N)

Affected Products and Versions

Product Name

| Versions Affected
—|—
Rational Developer for Power Systems Software| 8.5, 8.5.1
Rational Developer for i| 9.0, 9.0.0.1, 9.0.1, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.1.1
Rational Developer for AIX and Linux, AIX COBOL Edition| 9.0, 9.0.0.1, 9.0.1, 9.1, 9.1.1
Rational Developer for AIX and Linux, C/C++ Edition| 9.0, 9.0.0.1, 9.0.1, 9.1, 9.1.1

Remediation/Fixes

Product

| VRMF|Remediation/First Fix
—|—|—
Rational Developer for Power Systems Software| 8.5.1|

• None.
  Rational Developer for i| 9.0 through to 9.1|

• For Modernization Tools- Java Edition using Cordova, apply IBM SDK for Node.js 1.1.0.14 to the Cordova platform in the product.

Installation instructions for applying the update to the Cordova platform in the product can be found here:

Upgrading the IBM SDK for Node.js used by Cordova
Rational Developer for AIX and Linux| 9.0 through to 9.1|

• For all versions using Cordova, apply IBM SDK for Node.js 1.1.0.14 to the Cordova platform in the product.

Installation instructions for applying the update to the Cordova platform in the product can be found here:

Upgrading the IBM SDK for Node.js used by Cordova

Workarounds and Mitigations

In addition to the fixes supplied above, if you are using any of the following products:

• Rational Developer for Power Systems Software 8.5
• Rational Developer for i 9.0, and 9.1
• Rational Developer for AIX and Linux 9.0, and 9.1

then the following steps can be used to remove RC4 from the list of available algorithms:

1. Ensure the product is not running.

2. Locate the java.security file used by the product:

Rational Agent Controller: install folder/AgentController/jre/lib/security/java.security
Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software: install folder/jdk/jre/lib/security/java.security
Rational Build Utility: install folder/jdk/jre/lib/security/java.security
3. Edit the java.security file with a text editor and locate the line:

jdk.tls.disabledAlgorithms=SSLv3

4. Add RC4 to the list of disabled algorithms; For example: jdk.tls.disabledAlgorithms=SSLv3, RC4

5. Save the file and restart the product.

You should verify applying this configuration change does not cause any compatibility issues. Not disabling the RC4 stream cipher will expose yourself to the attack described above. IBM recommends that you review your entire environment to identify other areas where you have enabled the RC4 stream cipher and take appropriate mitigation and remediation actions.