CVE-2006-0424 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 8.1 through SP4, 7.0 through SP6, and 6.1 through SP7 allows remote authenticated guest users to read the server log and obtain sensitive configuration information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0424 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions spanning multiple release lines including 8.1 through SP4, 7.0 through SP6, and 6.1 through SP7. This security weakness specifically targets authenticated guest users who possess minimal privileges within the system, creating a potential vector for attackers to escalate their access and gather sensitive operational data. The flaw resides in the server's handling of log file access permissions, allowing unauthorized reading of server logs that typically contain critical configuration details, user activities, and system operational information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the WebLogic server's logging subsystem. When guest users authenticate to the system, they are granted access to certain server resources that should remain restricted to administrative personnel only. This misconfiguration allows the authenticated guest accounts to traverse the file system and read sensitive log files that contain information such as database connection strings, server configuration parameters, and potentially user credentials or session information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on BEA WebLogic platforms for mission-critical applications. The exposure of server logs can reveal detailed system architecture information including database names, server configurations, and potentially sensitive data that could be used to launch further attacks. Attackers could utilize the gathered information to identify potential targets for privilege escalation, map network topology, or discover other vulnerabilities within the system infrastructure. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software increases its potential impact across various organizational environments, particularly in scenarios where legacy systems remain operational without proper security updates.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by BEA and ensuring that guest user accounts are properly restricted from accessing sensitive server resources. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all user accounts, with guest users granted only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their intended functions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the exposure of critical server components. Additionally, regular monitoring of access logs and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify unauthorized attempts to access sensitive information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and credential access tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential for authenticated users to escalate their privileges through information gathering techniques.