CVE-2005-4765 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 8.1 SP4 and earlier and 7.0 SP6 and earlier, when using the weblogic.Deployer command with the t3 protocol, does not use the secure t3s protocol even when an Administration port is enabled on the Administration server, which might allow remote attackers to sniff the connection.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4765 affects BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions 8.1 SP4 and earlier, as well as 7.0 SP6 and earlier, specifically when utilizing the weblogic.Deployer command with the t3 protocol. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the secure communication implementation of the WebLogic application server platform, where the system fails to enforce secure communication protocols even when secure administration ports are explicitly enabled. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of secure versus non-secure communication channels within the deployment mechanism, creating a scenario where administrative operations can occur over unencrypted channels despite the availability of secure alternatives.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the protocol selection mechanism within the weblogic.Deployer command functionality. When administrators configure secure administration ports using the t3s protocol, the system should automatically route all administrative communications through encrypted channels. However, the flaw allows the system to continue using the insecure t3 protocol regardless of the secure port configuration, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack surface where network traffic containing sensitive administrative credentials and deployment commands can be intercepted and analyzed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms by allowing attackers to capture administrative session tokens and deployment parameters through network sniffing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass full administrative control of affected WebLogic servers. Attackers who successfully intercept the unencrypted traffic can obtain administrative credentials, deploy malicious applications, modify server configurations, and potentially gain access to underlying enterprise networks. This represents a significant compromise of the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebLogic servers often serve as critical components in application delivery architectures, potentially affecting multiple applications and services that depend on the compromised server infrastructure. Network security monitoring systems may not immediately detect this vulnerability as it operates within legitimate administrative protocols, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4765 require immediate implementation of several security controls to address the protocol handling flaw. Organizations should ensure that all WebLogic servers are updated to versions that properly enforce secure communication protocols, with the t3s protocol being automatically selected when secure administration ports are configured. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules that block external access to the t3 protocol ports while ensuring that only necessary internal communication occurs over secure channels. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate administrative functions from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface for potential interception. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting the exploitation of insecure communication channels to gain administrative access. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing to verify that the protocol enforcement mechanism functions correctly and that no legacy configurations remain that could bypass the secure communication requirements.