CVE-2003-1437 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Express and WebLogic Server 7.0 and 7.0.0.1, stores passwords in plaintext when a keystore is used to store a private key or trust certificate authorities, which allows local users to gain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1437 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Express and WebLogic Server versions 7.0 and 7.0.0.1 that directly violates fundamental security principles governing credential storage and management. This issue stems from the improper handling of cryptographic materials within the application server environment, specifically when utilizing keystores for private key and trust certificate authority management. The flaw manifests when the system stores passwords in plaintext format rather than implementing proper cryptographic protection mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that compromises the security posture of the entire platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the keystore management subsystem of the WebLogic server, where the application fails to encrypt or hash password credentials when they are persisted to disk for subsequent use in cryptographic operations. This plaintext storage occurs regardless of the security measures that should normally be applied to protect sensitive authentication data within enterprise environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) which explicitly addresses the improper storage of sensitive data in an easily readable format. The flaw essentially creates a situation where any local user with access to the filesystem can directly read these passwords without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security model of WebLogic Server installations, as it provides unauthorized local access to cryptographic credentials that are essential for maintaining secure communications and authentication processes. Attackers who gain local access to the system can immediately extract these plaintext passwords and potentially escalate their privileges or compromise additional systems that rely on the same credentials. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and can enable further compromise of the system through credential reuse attacks. This issue particularly impacts organizations that deploy WebLogic Server in environments where local privilege escalation or physical access control may be compromised.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through multiple defensive measures including immediate patching of affected WebLogic Server versions, implementation of proper password encryption mechanisms for keystore credentials, and enforcement of strict access controls on system files containing cryptographic materials. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files. The remediation process should include comprehensive review of all cryptographic credential storage practices within the application environment and implementation of proper key management protocols that align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to the principle of least privilege and implementing proper file system permissions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files that contain authentication credentials. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1552 (Credentials in Files) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables adversaries to obtain credentials through local system access and subsequently use them for further exploitation within the network environment.