CVE-2005-1744 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 7.0 through Service Pack 5 does not log out users when an application is redeployed, which allows those users to continue to access the application without having to log in again, which may be in violation of newly changed security constraints or role mappings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1744 represents a critical session management flaw within BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 7.0 through Service Pack 5. This issue stems from improper handling of user authentication state during application lifecycle operations, specifically when applications undergo redeployment processes. The flaw creates a persistent security risk where authenticated user sessions remain active even after application code has been updated or replaced, effectively bypassing the normal authentication mechanisms that should be enforced during such operations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the session invalidation process during application redeployment. When an application is redeployed on the WebLogic server, the system should invalidate all existing user sessions associated with that application to ensure proper authentication enforcement. However, the flaw allows active sessions to persist, enabling users to maintain access to application resources without re-authentication. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of session management and access control enforcement. The issue is particularly concerning because it can persist even when security constraints or role mappings have been modified during the redeployment process, potentially allowing users to access resources that should be restricted based on their updated authorization status.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session persistence issues and represents a significant threat to application security integrity. Attackers or malicious insiders could exploit this vulnerability to maintain elevated privileges or access sensitive application functionality even after security updates or role changes have been implemented. This creates a scenario where users might continue to operate under old security contexts, potentially accessing data or performing actions that should be restricted based on their current authorization level. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or other security violations that may go undetected for extended periods.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for credential harvesting. The flaw demonstrates poor application lifecycle management practices and inadequate session management protocols within the WebLogic server implementation. Organizations relying on these versions of WebLogic Server face significant risk of unauthorized access during application maintenance windows, particularly when security policies are updated. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that it occurs automatically during routine redeployment operations, making it difficult to detect and manage through traditional security monitoring approaches. Proper mitigation requires immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of additional session validation controls, and careful monitoring of user access patterns during application deployment activities.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to compliance requirements and audit processes, as persistent sessions during application updates can create false positives in security monitoring systems and may violate regulatory standards that mandate proper session management and access control enforcement. Organizations should implement comprehensive session management policies that explicitly address application redeployment scenarios and ensure that all user sessions are properly invalidated during such operations. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular audits of session management practices and implement automated monitoring to detect potential session persistence issues during application lifecycle events. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security testing during application deployment processes and highlights the need for robust session management frameworks that can handle dynamic application environments without compromising user authentication integrity.