CVE-2018-1684 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2018-1684 affecting IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 to 9.1, exposing them to a denial of service vulnerability. Find mitigation steps and technical details here.
IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 through 9.1 are susceptible to a vulnerability in MQTT topic string publishing, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2018-1684
This CVE involves a vulnerability in IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 to 9.1 that could be exploited for a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2018-1684?
The MQTT topic string publishing functionality in IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 to 9.1 contains a vulnerability that exposes it to a specific type of error. This vulnerability could potentially be exploited to launch a denial of service attack. It has been identified and assigned the IBM X-Force ID 145456.
The Impact of CVE-2018-1684
- CVSS Score: 5.3 (Medium Severity)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Attack Complexity: High
- Availability Impact: High
- Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
- Privileges Required: Low
- Remediation Level: Official Fix
- Report Confidence: Confirmed
Technical Details of CVE-2018-1684
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in MQTT topic string publishing in IBM WebSphere MQ versions 8.0 to 9.1 can be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack.
Affected Systems and Versions
The following versions of IBM WebSphere MQ are affected:
- 8.0.0.0 to 8.0.0.10
- 9.0.0.0 to 9.1.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted MQTT topic strings to the affected systems, causing them to crash or become unresponsive.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2018-1684, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply official fixes or patches provided by IBM.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious MQTT topic strings.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch IBM WebSphere MQ installations.
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
- Educate staff on best practices for handling MQTT communications securely.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all IBM WebSphere MQ installations are updated with the latest patches and security fixes.