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Security Bulletin: WebSphere Application Server is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2020-4949)

Security Bulletin


Summary

WebSphere Application Server is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) Injection vulnerability. This has been addressed.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:   CVE-2020-4949
DESCRIPTION:   IBM WebSphere Application Server is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when processing XML data. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose sensitive information or consume memory resources.
CVSS Base score: 8.2
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/192025 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L)

Affected Products and Versions

Affected Product(s)Version(s)
WebSphere Application Server9.0
WebSphere Application Server8.5
WebSphere Application Server8.0
WebSphere Application Server7.0

Remediation/Fixes

For WebSphere Application Server traditional and WebSphere Application Server Hypervisor Edition:

For V9.0.0.0 through 9.0.5.6:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PH31727
--OR--
· Apply Fix Pack 9.0.5.7 or later (targeted availability 1Q2021). 

For V8.5.0.0 through 8.5.5.18:
· Upgrade to minimal fix pack levels as required by interim fix and then apply Interim Fix PH31727
· Apply Fix Pack 8.5.5.19 or later (targeted availability 1Q2021).


For V8.0.0.0 through 8.0.0.15:
· Upgrade to 8.0.0.15 and then apply Interim Fix PH31727
 

For V7.0.0.0 through 7.0.0.45:
· Upgrade to 7.0.0.45 and  then apply Interim Fix PH31727
 

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

WebSphere Application Server V7.0 and V8.0 are no longer in full support; IBM recommends upgrading to a fixed, supported version/release/platform of the product.


Workarounds and Mitigations

None

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References

Off

Acknowledgement

The vulnerability was reported to IBM by r00t4dm at Cloud-Penetrating Arrow Lab, Longofo at Knownsec 404 Team and 0rich1 of Ant Security FG Lab

Change History

25 Jan 2021: Initial Publication

*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.

Disclaimer

Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.

Document Location

Worldwide

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Product":{"code":"SSEQTP","label":"WebSphere Application Server"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF002","label":"AIX"},{"code":"PF010","label":"HP-UX"},{"code":"PF012","label":"IBM i"},{"code":"PF016","label":"Linux"},{"code":"PF027","label":"Solaris"},{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"},{"code":"PF035","label":"z\/OS"}],"Version":"7.0, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0","Edition":"Advanced,Base,Developer,Enterprise,Express,Network Deployment,Single Server","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
25 January 2021

UID

ibm16408244