CVE-2003-0624 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in InteractiveQuery.jsp for BEA WebLogic 8.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject malicious web script via the person parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0624 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed within BEA WebLogic Server version 8.1 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically targets the InteractiveQuery.jsp component, which serves as a web interface for querying database information within the application server environment. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the person parameter, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary script code within the context of other users' browsers. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that were prevalent in enterprise web applications during the early 2000s era.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through the person parameter in the InteractiveQuery.jsp interface. When the web application processes this input without adequate sanitization, the malicious script gets stored or directly executed in the browser of unsuspecting users who subsequently access the affected page. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious code persists in the application's data storage and affects multiple users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Valid Accounts, as it allows attackers to leverage the web application interface to execute malicious code against other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate data within the application, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of BEA WebLogic Server, which was commonly used for enterprise application deployment, this vulnerability could compromise multiple business-critical applications that relied on the platform's web services. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the web interface. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that used WebLogic 8.1 or earlier versions, as it could allow attackers to escalate their privileges within the application environment and potentially gain access to backend databases or other system resources. The lack of proper input validation in this component demonstrates the importance of implementing comprehensive security measures throughout the entire application development lifecycle, including proper output encoding and input sanitization techniques that were not adequately addressed in the affected versions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for all parameters, output encoding of dynamic content, and application-level security hardening measures. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to BEA WebLogic Server versions that contain proper XSS protection mechanisms, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, organizations should establish proper security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities in their web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of protection to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in web applications.