CVE-2003-1290 in WebLogic
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 6.1, 7.0, and 8.1, with RMI and anonymous admin lookup enabled, allows remote attackers to obtain configuration information by accessing MBeanHome via the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1290 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 6.1, 7.0, and 8.1. This vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of remote method invocation and anonymous administrative access controls within the application server environment. The flaw specifically manifests when both RMI (Remote Method Invocation) and anonymous admin lookup functionalities are enabled simultaneously, creating an attack vector that exposes sensitive configuration data through the Java Naming and Directory Interface. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 as it involves the improper exposure of sensitive information, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.001 related to data from information repositories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the MBeanHome interface within the WebLogic management infrastructure. When RMI is enabled, the server exposes management interfaces that allow remote clients to interact with the Java Management Extensions. The anonymous admin lookup feature permits unauthenticated access to management functions, creating a dangerous combination where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. Through JNDI access, remote adversaries can traverse the management hierarchy and extract detailed configuration information including system properties, security settings, and potentially sensitive deployment descriptors. This occurs because the default configuration does not adequately restrict access to management interfaces, particularly when the server operates in a mode that allows anonymous connections to administrative services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for organizations running affected WebLogic server versions. Successful exploitation provides attackers with comprehensive knowledge of the target system's configuration, which serves as a foundation for subsequent attacks. The leaked information can include database connection strings, user credentials, application deployment details, and security policy configurations that significantly reduce the attack surface for further exploitation. This information disclosure creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, denial of service conditions, and potentially complete system compromise. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to the exposure of sensitive system information that attackers can use to plan more sophisticated attacks against their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1290 require immediate configuration changes to restrict access to management interfaces and disable unnecessary services. Organizations should disable anonymous admin lookup functionality and implement proper authentication mechanisms for all administrative access points. The RMI services should be configured with appropriate access controls and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized remote connections to management interfaces. Security administrators must ensure that management interfaces are only accessible from trusted networks and that strong authentication mechanisms are enforced. Additionally, implementing network firewalls and access control lists can prevent unauthorized access to the specific ports and services that expose the vulnerable MBeanHome interface. Regular security audits and configuration reviews should be conducted to verify that management interfaces remain properly secured and that no unauthorized access mechanisms have been enabled. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices for application server configuration and the necessity of keeping systems updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.