CVE-2003-1438 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in BEA WebLogic Server and Express 5.1 through 7.0.0.1, when using in-memory session replication or replicated stateful session beans, causes the same buffer to be provided to two users, which could allow one user to see session data that was intended for another user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1438 represents a critical race condition affecting BEA WebLogic Server versions 5.1 through 7.0.0.1 when implementing in-memory session replication or replicated stateful session beans. This flaw stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the session management subsystem, creating a scenario where concurrent access to shared memory resources results in data corruption and unauthorized information disclosure. The issue manifests specifically when multiple users attempt to access session data simultaneously, leading to a buffer allocation conflict that allows session data to be inadvertently shared between different user contexts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure to implement proper locking mechanisms during session data allocation and management operations. When session replication is enabled, the server maintains copies of session state across multiple nodes or within memory structures to ensure availability and fault tolerance. However, the race condition occurs during the buffer allocation process where two separate threads or processes attempt to access and modify the same memory buffer simultaneously. This concurrency issue is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software design and implementation, and directly relates to the broader category of CWE-367, which encompasses inadequate synchronization mechanisms that can lead to security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive user data. When the same buffer is provided to multiple users, one user may inadvertently access session information belonging to another user, including authentication tokens, personal data, financial information, or other confidential business data. This cross-contamination of session state can lead to complete account compromise, unauthorized transactions, and significant data breaches that violate privacy regulations and compliance requirements. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application server, undermining the isolation guarantees that session management is designed to provide.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1438 require immediate implementation of proper synchronization mechanisms within the WebLogic Server configuration. Organizations should ensure that session replication is properly configured with appropriate locking mechanisms to prevent concurrent access to shared buffers. The recommended approach includes upgrading to patched versions of BEA WebLogic Server where the race condition has been addressed through proper thread synchronization and buffer management. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewalls and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting access to session replication endpoints. Security teams should also consider disabling session replication features when not strictly necessary and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unusual session behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through session manipulation, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper concurrency control in enterprise application security architectures.