CVE-2018-1901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 are affected by a vulnerability that could allow unauthorized remote attackers to gain elevated privileges temporarily.

Understanding CVE-2018-1901

This CVE involves a security flaw in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 that could lead to privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2018-1901?

The vulnerability in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 enables remote attackers to acquire elevated privileges temporarily due to the incorrect cached value usage.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1901

CVSS Base Score: 5 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Report Confidence: Confirmed
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:N/C:L/I:L/PR:L/S:U/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1901

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized remote attackers to gain elevated privileges temporarily by exploiting an incorrect cached value in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through a network-based attack with high complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-1901 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM
Monitor IBM's security advisories for updates
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch WebSphere Application Server
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing
Educate users on safe computing practices

Patching and Updates

IBM has released official fixes to address the vulnerability
Stay informed about security updates and apply patches promptly