CVE-2005-4757 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 8.1 SP3 and earlier, and 7.0 SP5 and earlier, do not properly "constrain" a "/" (slash) servlet root URL pattern, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended servlet protections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4757 represents a critical access control flaw in BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions prior to specific service packs. This issue stems from improper handling of servlet root URL patterns, specifically when slash characters are used in the context of web application security configurations. The vulnerability affects both major versions 7.0 and 8.1, with service packs SP5 and SP3 respectively, indicating a long-standing security gap in the application server's security model. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the servlet mapping mechanism to bypass intended access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to protected resources within the web application.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of URL patterns during servlet configuration processing. When administrators define servlet mappings using root URL patterns that include slash characters, the WebLogic server fails to properly constrain these patterns, creating a path traversal-like condition. This improper handling enables attackers to craft specific URL requests that circumvent the intended security boundaries established by the servlet configuration. The vulnerability specifically targets the servlet root URL pattern matching logic, where the server does not adequately validate that slash characters in URL patterns are properly constrained to prevent unauthorized access paths. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, and more specifically aligns with CWE-352 which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for access control bypass.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to bypass critical security controls that protect sensitive application resources. An attacker could potentially access protected servlets, administrative interfaces, or restricted application functionality that should only be available to authorized users or specific request contexts. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected WebLogic server versions are deployed, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such application servers are commonly used. The attack surface is broad since servlet security configurations are fundamental to web application architecture, and the vulnerability can be exploited across multiple application contexts within the same server instance.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express that address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns attempting to exploit this flaw. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in application server implementations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing to highlight how such vulnerabilities can be leveraged in broader attack campaigns. Administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their WebLogic deployments to identify and remediate any custom servlet configurations that might be susceptible to similar path traversal or access control bypass conditions. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in enterprise web infrastructure.