CVE-2002-2177 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and Express 6.1 through 7.0.0.1 buffers HTTP requests in a way that can cause BEA to send the same response for two different HTTP requests, which could allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information that was intended for other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2177 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Server and Express versions 6.1 through 7.0.0.1 that fundamentally compromises the integrity of HTTP request processing and response handling mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from improper buffer management during HTTP request processing where the server maintains internal buffers that can inadvertently retain data from previous requests. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically affecting the HTTP protocol implementation within the web server infrastructure. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability relates to improper handling of buffer operations and memory management within web application servers, creating a condition where response data becomes intertwined with request data. The issue manifests when the server's buffer management system fails to properly clear or reset internal buffers between successive HTTP requests, leading to a scenario where response content intended for one user may be inadvertently transmitted to another user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that leverage the server's buffer management weakness to cause a cross-user response contamination. When multiple HTTP requests are processed in sequence, the server's internal buffer can retain fragments of previous request data or response content, resulting in a situation where the response to one request inadvertently contains information that was originally intended for a different user session. This behavior creates a significant information disclosure risk where sensitive data such as session tokens, user credentials, or private application data can be exposed to unauthorized users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting the exploitation of application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The root cause lies in the server's failure to properly isolate HTTP request contexts, creating a condition where the boundaries between different user sessions become blurred within the server's memory management system.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2177 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to protected resources. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform session replay attacks where they capture response data intended for one user and use it to impersonate that user or gain access to their privileges. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the web server by breaking the isolation between user sessions, which is a core principle of secure web application design. Organizations using affected BEA WebLogic versions face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive user information. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in environments where the web server handles authentication, financial transactions, or personal identifiable information, as the exposure of even partial response data could provide attackers with sufficient information to launch more targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2177 require immediate implementation of server patches and updates provided by BEA, as well as architectural changes to prevent buffer contamination. Organizations should implement proper buffer clearing mechanisms and ensure that HTTP request contexts are properly isolated between different users. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-supplied security patches that address the specific buffer management issues within the WebLogic server implementation. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to alert on unusual patterns of response data transmission that might indicate buffer contamination. According to industry best practices and security frameworks, this vulnerability requires immediate remediation as it represents a critical weakness in the server's security architecture that can be exploited remotely without authentication. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web application environments to identify any other potential buffer-related vulnerabilities and ensure proper session management practices are implemented across all application layers.