CVE-2019-4656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM MQ and IBM MQ Appliance versions 7.1, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 LTS, 9.1 LTS, and 9.1 CD are vulnerable to a denial of service attack. An authenticated user could exploit this vulnerability, causing a queue crash and requiring a restart due to error message processing.

Understanding CVE-2019-4656

This CVE involves a vulnerability in IBM MQ and IBM MQ Appliance versions, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2019-4656?

The vulnerability affects IBM MQ and IBM MQ Appliance versions 7.1, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 LTS, 9.1 LTS, and 9.1 CD.
An authenticated user could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service attack.
The issue is related to the incorrect handling of error messages during processing.

The Impact of CVE-2019-4656

CVSS Score: 6.5 (Medium)
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Privileges Required: Low
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None
The vulnerability could lead to a queue crash, requiring a restart and potentially causing a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-4656

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to trigger a denial of service attack by crashing the queue.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM MQ and IBM MQ Appliance versions 7.1, 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 LTS, 9.1 LTS, and 9.1 CD are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated user can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating error messages during processing.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-4656, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activity.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM MQ and IBM MQ Appliance versions.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM.
Implement patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.