IBM MQ Appliance 9.2 CD and 9.2 LTS does not invalidate session after logout which could allow an authenticated user to impersonate another user on the system. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.4. This vulnerability allows attackers to leverage existing authenticated sessions to assume another user's identity, which poses a significant risk to the integrity of the system.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability affects versions of IBM MQ from 9.2.0 to below 9.2.0.4 for LTS and from 9.2.0 to below 9.2.5 for continuous delivery. This lack of session invalidation could lead to unauthorized actions being performed within the system, escalating the risk of data breaches.
Currently, there are no known exploits available for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for exploitation exists, making it critical for organizations to address this issue without delay.
With the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks, organizations using IBM MQ must remain vigilant and implement necessary patches to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and adherence to best practices in session management are essential to safeguard against potential threats.
Vulnerability Details
The CVE-2021-38986 vulnerability allows an authenticated user to impersonate another user on the IBM MQ Appliance due to the failure to invalidate sessions after logout. The CVSS score of 5.4 indicates that this is a medium severity vulnerability. The attack vector is network-based, and it requires low privileges for exploitation, with no user interaction necessary.
The vulnerability was published on March 1, 2022, and affects IBM MQ versions 9.2 CD and 9.2 LTS, specifically those versions prior to 9.2.0.4 and 9.2.5 respectively. The CWE classification associated with this vulnerability is CWE-613, indicating improper session management.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-38986 is an improper implementation of session invalidation mechanisms. When a user logs out, the system fails to terminate the session, allowing another authenticated user to regain access without proper authentication.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning the vulnerability can be exploited remotely. The attack complexity is low, as it requires only a low level of privileges to carry out. User interaction is not necessary, making this vulnerability particularly concerning.
In terms of impact, the confidentiality and integrity of the system are at risk due to the possibility of unauthorized actions being performed by an impersonating user. Availability is not affected by this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential manipulation of user actions within the system. The blast radius could encompass all users on the affected system, depending on the privileges of the impersonated user.
Given the medium CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to severe security incidents, emphasizing the need for immediate remediation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of IBM MQ Appliance include 9.2 CD and 9.2 LTS. Specifically, all versions prior to 9.2.0.4 for LTS and prior to 9.2.5 for continuous delivery are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch IBM MQ Appliance to version 9.2.0.4 or higher for LTS and 9.2.5 or higher for continuous delivery. If a patch is unavailable, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening measures to mitigate the risk of session fixation and unauthorized access.
Further guidance on applying security measures can be found in resources such as the application security assessment guide.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for suspicious activity that may indicate impersonation attempts. Look for behavioral anomalies associated with session management, including logins from multiple users within a short timeframe. Network signatures can also help identify unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-38986 lies in its representation of broader session management issues prevalent in many applications. This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust session management practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their session management protocols, ensuring that sessions are invalidated appropriately upon logout to mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For more insights on security best practices, organizations can refer to our detailed guide on security testing best practices. Additionally, the trends in vulnerability exposure can be monitored through our blog on vulnerability exposure severity trends to stay ahead of potential threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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