CVE-2004-0713 in WebLogic
Summary
by MITRE
The remove method in a stateful Enterprise JavaBean (EJB) in BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 8.1 through SP2, 7.0 through SP4, and 6.1 through SP6, does not properly check EJB permissions before unexporting a bean, which allows remote authenticated users to remove EJB objects from remote views before the security exception is thrown.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0713 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Enterprise JavaBean implementation of BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express across multiple versions. This issue specifically targets the remove method functionality within stateful EJB components, where the security validation process fails to properly enforce permission checks before executing the unexportation of bean objects. The flaw exists in the server's security model implementation, creating a window of opportunity where authenticated but unauthorized users can manipulate EJB lifecycle operations through remote access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core application server infrastructure that handles enterprise-level distributed computing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control enforcement within the EJB container's remove method execution path. When an EJB object is scheduled for removal, the system should validate that the calling principal possesses the necessary permissions to perform this operation before proceeding with the unexportation process. However, in affected versions, this permission validation occurs after the object has already been made available for removal, allowing malicious actors to exploit the temporal gap between permission checking and actual removal. This flaw falls under the category of improper authorization as defined by CWE-285, specifically related to insufficient access control mechanisms in enterprise application servers. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic race condition in security validation where the system state changes before proper authorization checks are completed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity threats. Remote authenticated users can leverage this weakness to remove EJB objects from remote views, effectively disrupting application functionality and potentially enabling further attacks through object manipulation. This capability allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations on enterprise applications, potentially leading to service disruption, data loss, or privilege escalation within the application server environment. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application server, as it undermines the integrity of the EJB security context and allows for unauthorized object lifecycle management. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as it enables attackers to manipulate application server components without proper authorization.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for WebLogic Server versions 8.1 through SP2, 7.0 through SP4, and 6.1 through SP6. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions that correct the permission validation sequence in the EJB remove method implementation. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten EJB security policies, ensuring that proper access controls are enforced at all lifecycle operations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit unnecessary access to application server components, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous EJB removal activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security model implementation in enterprise application servers and serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough security testing of core infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems and regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system integrity.