[NEWS] Weak Password Protection in WebSphere XML Configuration Export

From: support@securiteam.com
Date: 02/05/03

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      Weak Password Protection in WebSphere XML Configuration Export
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SUMMARY

    Passwords in WebSphere XML configuration export are not sufficiently
    protected. If the exported configuration gets into the hands of a
    malicious user, he or she can de-obfuscate passwords easily and can gain
    access to the password-protected resources.

    DETAILS

    Vulnerable systems:
     * WebSphere Advanced Server Edition version 4.0.4

    WebSphere Advanced Server Edition 4.0.4 offers a management functionality
    that allows an administrator to export the whole WebSphere configuration
    as an XML file. The export includes passwords needed for accessing keying
    material and data sources:

          <jdbc-driver action="update" name="Sample DB Driver">
    ..
                  <config-properties>
                      <property name="serverName" value=""/>
                      <property name="password" value="{xor}KD4sa28="/>
                      <property name="portNumber" value=""/>
                      <property name="databaseName" value="was40"/>
                      <property name="user" value="was40"/>
                      <property name="disable2Phase" value="true"/>
                      <property name="ifxIFXHOST" value=""/>
                      <property name="URL" value=""/>
                      <property name="informixLockModeWait" value=""/>
                  </config-properties>
              </data-source>

    These passwords are obfuscated and Base64Encoded. Those areas obfuacated
    are marked with the {XOR}-prefix.

    The obfuscation algorithm is as follows:
     - CHARobfuscated(n) = CHARpassword(n) XOR CHAR("_"),where n is the
    position of the character
     - ObfuscatedPasswordBase64Encoded = Base64Encode(ObfuscatedPassword)

    Deobfuscation process:
     - ObfuscatedPassword = Base64Decode(ObfuscatedPasswordBase64Encoded)
     - CHARpassword(n) = CHARobfuscated(n) XOR CHAR("_")

    Workaround:
    Administrators should take care that they export the configuration to an
    administrator accessible directory only and destroy the export file after
    use.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    The information has been provided by <mailto:jan.monsch@csnc.ch> Jan P.
    Monsch.

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