CVE-2004-0652 in WebLogic
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 7.0 through 7.0 Service Pack 4, and 8.1 through 8.1 Service Pack 2, allows attackers to obtain the username and password for booting the server by directly accessing certain internal methods.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0652 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 7.0 through 8.1 Service Pack 2. This issue stems from insufficient access controls within the server's internal architecture, specifically affecting the boot process authentication mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthorized attackers to directly access internal methods that should remain protected, thereby exposing sensitive authentication credentials required for server initialization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's design where internal bootstrapping methods lack proper authentication checks. When the WebLogic server initializes, it requires specific credentials to establish its operational state, but these credentials are accessible through direct method calls rather than being properly secured behind authentication barriers. This design flaw creates an attack surface where malicious actors can bypass normal authentication procedures and directly query internal server components to extract username and password combinations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the very foundation of server authentication, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control over the server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the server's security posture. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the server's administrative functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exposure of boot credentials creates a persistent backdoor that could allow continued access even after normal authentication mechanisms are patched or changed. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor implementation of access control mechanisms, which are fundamental requirements in secure system design according to cybersecurity frameworks such as those outlined in the CWE catalog under access control violations.
Organizations running affected WebLogic versions should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant security patches released by BEA Systems, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to server administration ports, and conducting thorough security audits of server configurations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate credentials. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual access patterns to server management interfaces, implementing strong network access controls, and ensuring that administrative interfaces are not directly exposed to untrusted networks. The affected systems should also be configured with proper input validation and access logging to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security investigations.