CVE-2005-4760 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 8.1 SP3 and earlier, and 7.0 SP5 and earlier, when fullyDelegatedAuthorization is enabled for a servlet, does not cause servlet deployment to fail when failures occur in authorization or role providers, which might prevent the servlet from being "fully protected."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4760 affects BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 8.1 SP3 and earlier, as well as 7.0 SP5 and earlier, specifically when the fullyDelegatedAuthorization feature is enabled for servlets. This issue represents a significant authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the security controls designed to protect web applications. The flaw occurs within the authorization subsystem where the system fails to properly handle failures in authorization or role providers, creating a scenario where servlet deployment continues even when critical security components fail. This behavior directly contradicts the expected security posture where deployment failures should halt the process to prevent potentially insecure configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper error handling mechanism within WebLogic's authorization framework. When fullyDelegatedAuthorization is enabled, the server should enforce strict authorization checks that prevent deployment if any component of the authorization infrastructure fails. However, the system's design flaw allows deployment to proceed despite authorization provider failures, effectively creating a false sense of security. This behavior aligns with CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in authorization mechanisms, and specifically relates to inadequate error handling in security-critical components. The vulnerability operates at the application server level, affecting how the servlet container manages security policies and authorization decisions during the deployment lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to potentially bypass authorization controls that should protect sensitive servlet endpoints. An attacker could exploit this by manipulating the authorization or role provider components to fail, then deploy servlets that are not properly protected. This creates a scenario where web applications might be accessible to unauthorized users while the system continues to operate under the assumption that proper security controls are in place. The vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to protected resources, particularly when the authorization providers are configured to fail in predictable ways. This issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of web applications that rely on WebLogic's security mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4760 require immediate attention through patching and configuration hardening. Organizations should upgrade to WebLogic Server versions that address this vulnerability, as BEA released patches specifically targeting the authorization failure handling issue. System administrators should disable fullyDelegatedAuthorization when it is not strictly required, as this feature significantly increases the attack surface. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and logging of authorization failures can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of fail-safe security mechanisms where system failures should result in security degradation rather than false security assurances. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional access controls to limit the potential impact of such authorization bypasses, aligning with the defense-in-depth principles outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific authorization configuration issue to prevent unauthorized deployment of potentially insecure servlets.