PI39126: MODIFY PLUGIN TO AUTOMATICALLY VALIDATE SECURITY BASED ON CURRENT STANDARDS

8.5.5.7: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 7
8.5.5.8: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 8
8.0.0.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 12
8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 11
8.0.0.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 13
8.5.5.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 12
8.0.0.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 13
8.0.0.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
8.5.5.20: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.20
8.5.5.18: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 18
8.5.5.19: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 19
8.5.5.16: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 16
8.5.5.21: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.21

APAR status

• Closed as new function.

Error description

• The web server relies on gskit for SSL communications with
  some webservers. Gskit has the ability to allow an application
  to "opt in" for security enhancements without requiring
  application updates. This improves security of the component
  and reduces risks of security vulnerabilities.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  IBM WebSphere Application Server IBM HTTP   *
  *                  Server plugin users                         *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: New security vulnerabilities can        *
  *                      require continuous updates              *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  The security library (gskit) used with plugin when using IBM
  based web servers has the ability to tune itself based upon
  known security vulnerabilities. Plugin is enhancing its use of
  the library to take advantage of this feature.
  

Problem conclusion

• Plugin will enable the gsk vaccinate function by default. If
  you would like to opt out of this feature, add the custom
  property AutoSecurity = false to the plugin custom properties.
  It is not recommended to opt out of this feature unless you
  fully understand and accept the security exposure it may
  present.
  
  WebSphere webServer Plug-in will also enforce compliance with
  RFC 5280 (published in 2008)for its TLS certificates after
  this change is applied.
  
  At the time this APAR was first issued, IBM believed
  certificates issued by public certificate authorities were
  long-since compliant.  We have later come to learn that a number
  of certificate authorities issue certificate chains that are
  not compliant with RFC5280, specifically in the area of
  the "Certificate Policies" extension.
  
  Certificates  created automatically by the application server
  are all compliant with RFC 5280.
  
  Some self-signed certificates or
  certificates issued by locally administered certificate
  authorities may not necessarily be compliant.    The most
  common non-compliance is the omission of a "BasicConstraints"
  extension with the "critical" field set to true.  In lieu of
  replacing the non-compliant certificate, the certificate
  validation changes in PI39126 can be disabled after the
  introduction of PI49893 (8.0.0.12, 8.5.5.8). Please examine
  PI49893 if you wish to disable certificate compliance checking.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix packs 8.0.0.12 and 8.5.5.7.  Please refer to the
  Recommended Updates page for delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WEBS APP SERV N

• Fixed component ID

  5724H8800

Applicable component levels

• R800 PSY

     UP

• R850 PSY

     UP