CVE-2018-1851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty OpenID Connect could allow remote code execution by an attacker. The flaw lies in the deserialization process, enabling unauthorized code execution.

Understanding CVE-2018-1851

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty OpenID Connect that could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2018-1851?

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute unauthorized code on the affected system by sending a carefully-crafted request to the RP service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1851

CVSS Base Score: 7.3 (High)
CVSS Temporal Score: 6.4 (Medium)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: Low
User Interaction: None
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Report Confidence: Confirmed
Scope: Unchanged

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1851

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the deserialization process of IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty OpenID Connect, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WebSphere Application Server
Vendor: IBM
Affected Version: Liberty

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted request to the RP service, enabling them to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
Monitor IBM's security advisories for updates and patches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious activities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate risks.

Patching and Updates

IBM has released patches and fixes to address this vulnerability. Ensure timely application of these updates to secure the system.