CVE-2003-1225 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
The default CredentialMapper for BEA WebLogic Server and Express 7.0 and 7.0.0.1 stores passwords in cleartext on disk, which allows local users to extract passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1225 represents a critical security flaw in the BEA WebLogic Server and Express versions 7.0 and 7.0.0.1, specifically within their default CredentialMapper implementation. This issue stems from the insecure storage of authentication credentials in plain text format on the local filesystem, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in credential management and highlights the importance of proper encryption mechanisms for sensitive data storage. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak credential storage as defined by CWE-257, which specifically addresses the storage of passwords in cleartext or other insecure formats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the CredentialMapper component of the WebLogic Server, which is responsible for managing user authentication credentials. When users authenticate to the server, their passwords are stored in cleartext files on the local disk rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. This design flaw allows any local user with access to the system to read these password files directly, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. The cleartext storage approach violates fundamental security principles and creates an immediate privilege escalation vector for local attackers who can simply examine the password files to obtain valid credentials for system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1225 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the WebLogic Server environment. Local users who can access the filesystem can extract not only their own credentials but potentially those of other users, service accounts, and administrative personnel. This vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges within the application server environment and potentially move laterally to other systems within the network. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where WebLogic servers often host critical business applications and contain sensitive data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1003 (Credential Access) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to execute commands and maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural issues. The most effective approach involves implementing proper encryption for password storage, ensuring that credentials are never stored in cleartext format. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of WebLogic Server where the CredentialMapper has been updated to use secure encryption mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict file system access controls, ensuring that only authorized processes can read credential files. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting local user access to the server environment. Regular security audits and monitoring of file system access patterns can help detect unauthorized attempts to access credential files. This vulnerability serves as a classic example of why security-by-design principles are essential, particularly when dealing with authentication and credential management systems that must adhere to industry standards such as NIST SP 800-63 for identity and access management.