CVE-2004-1758 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 8.1 up to SP2, 7.0 up to SP4, and 6.1 up to SP6 may store the database username and password for an untargeted JDBC connection pool in plaintext in config.xml, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1758 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 8.1 through SP2, 7.0 through SP4, and 6.1 through SP6. This issue stems from the improper handling of database authentication credentials within the application server configuration files, specifically the config.xml file that governs server settings and connection parameters. The flaw allows local users with access to the server to potentially extract sensitive database credentials that are stored in plain text format, creating a significant attack surface for privilege escalation and unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WebLogic server's configuration management system where database connection pool settings are persisted to the config.xml file without adequate encryption or obfuscation. When administrators configure JDBC connection pools for database connectivity, the server stores both the username and password credentials in plaintext within the configuration file, making them accessible to any local user who can read the file. This design flaw directly violates security best practices and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage as categorized by CWE-312. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple major versions of the WebLogic platform, indicating a systemic issue in the configuration management architecture rather than a isolated incident.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables local privilege escalation attacks and provides attackers with direct access to backend databases. An attacker with local system access can extract the plaintext credentials and subsequently use them to establish database connections, potentially gaining access to sensitive application data, performing unauthorized transactions, or escalating privileges within the database environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access and T1078.004 for additional privileges through local accounts, creating a pathway for attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure. The risk is amplified when considering that these versions of WebLogic were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the potential attack surface extensive.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the appropriate service packs and patches provided by BEA to address the plaintext credential storage issue. The recommended approach involves upgrading to the patched versions of WebLogic Server where the configuration management system properly encrypts sensitive credentials or at minimum implementing file system access controls to restrict read access to the config.xml file. Additional security measures should include monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts, implementing proper file permissions for configuration files, and considering the deployment of centralized credential management solutions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure credential handling and the necessity of following security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for protecting sensitive information in application server configurations.