CVE-2018-1840 : What You Need to Know

IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 are susceptible to a privilege escalation vulnerability due to misconfiguration of security domains. This could allow a remote attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

Understanding CVE-2018-1840

This CVE involves the misconfiguration of security domains in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0, leading to a privilege escalation vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-1840?

The vulnerability arises when a federated repository other than the global federated repository is used in the security domain configuration, especially during system migration to a newer release of WebSphere Application Server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1840

The vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to obtain higher privileges on the affected system, potentially compromising its security and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1840

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The misconfiguration of security domains in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 allows a remote attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WebSphere Application Server
Vendor: IBM
Affected Versions: 8.5, 9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the CVE-2018-1840 vulnerability, follow these guidelines:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official fix provided by IBM.
Monitor IBM's security advisories for updates and patches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations.
Conduct security audits and assessments periodically.

Patching and Updates

Install patches and updates released by IBM to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.