JR51038: VERIFYING HOST NAME DURING AN SSL HANDSHAKE CANNOT BE DISABLED IN THE HTTP CLIENT THAT IS CALLED FOR OUTBOUND HTTP CALLS

8.5.5.0-WS-BPM-IFJR51038
8.5.0.1-WS-BPM-IFJR51038
8.0.1.1-WS-BPM-IFJR51038
7.5.1.2-WS-BPM-IFJR51038
Version 8.5 Refresh Pack 6 for the IBM Business Process Manager products
Version 8.5.0 Fix Pack 2 for the IBM Business Process Manager products

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• In APAR JR45071, which is included in IBM Business Process
  Manager (BPM) V7.5.1.2, host name verification was introduced
  for the Apache Commons HTTP client 3.1 library that is shipped
  with IBM BPM to protect against MITM ("man-in-the-middle")
  attacks when SSL connections are being established.
  
  This check verifies that the host name the SSL certificate was
  created for matches the host name of the SSL connection.
  However, the host name verification might fail although no MITM
  attack has occurred, for example when load balancers are
  involved.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• The problem arises because the Apache Commons HTTP Client 3.1
  that shipped with IBM BPM V7.5.1.2 verifies host names
  unconditionally. It ignores the
  com.ibm.ssl.performURLHostNameVerification Boolean setting in
  the <PROFILE_HOME>/properties/ssl.client.props configuration
  file.
  

Problem conclusion

• A fix is available for IBM BPM V7.5.1.2 that ensures Apache
  Commons HTTP client 3.1 either verifies the host name or
  suppresses host name verification, depending on the
  com.ibm.ssl.performURLHostNameVerification Boolean setting in
  the <PROFILE_HOME>/properties/ssl.client.props configuration
  file. With the fix applied, you can disable host name
  verification.
  
  On Fix Central (http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral), search
  for JR51038:
  
  1. Select IBM Business Process Manager with your edition from
    the product selector, the installed version to the fix pack
    level, and your platform, and then click Continue.
  
  2. Select APAR or SPR, enter JR51038, and click Continue.
  
  When you download fix packages, ensure that you also download
  the readme file for each fix. Review each readme file for
  additional installation instructions and information about the
  fix.
  

Temporary fix

• Not applicable
  

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

  BPM STANDARD

• Fixed component ID

  5725C9500

Applicable component levels

• R751 PSY

     UP