CVE-2006-2461 in WebLogic
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server before 8.1 Service Pack 4 does not properly set the Quality of Service in certain circumstances, which prevents some transmissions from being encrypted via SSL, and allows remote attackers to more easily read potentially sensitive network traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2461 affects BEA WebLogic Server versions prior to 8.1 Service Pack 4, representing a critical security flaw in the server's implementation of Secure Sockets Layer encryption protocols. This issue stems from improper Quality of Service parameter handling within the server's network communication stack, creating a scenario where certain data transmissions fail to achieve the expected encryption level. The flaw operates at the protocol level, specifically impacting how the server negotiates and enforces SSL/TLS encryption for network traffic between clients and the application server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's SSL configuration management system where Quality of Service parameters are not correctly evaluated or applied during the SSL handshake process. When certain network conditions or client requests are processed, the server fails to properly enforce SSL encryption, allowing some data to be transmitted in plaintext or with reduced encryption strength. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks and network traffic interception, where attackers can more easily capture and analyze sensitive information flowing through the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, essentially creating a backdoor for eavesdropping on network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it undermines the entire security architecture of the WebLogic Server deployment. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept sensitive data including user credentials, session information, and business-critical data that should remain encrypted during transmission. This exposure creates opportunities for credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation attacks that can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of enterprise applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where WebLogic Server handles financial transactions, personal identifiable information, or other sensitive data types, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to bypass encryption controls that are essential for maintaining data security.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended security patches provided by BEA Systems, specifically upgrading to WebLogic Server 8.1 Service Pack 4 or later versions. System administrators must also conduct thorough network traffic analysis to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Network segmentation and additional encryption layers should be considered as temporary mitigations while permanent fixes are implemented. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in software implementations, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in network security where encryption should be mandatory for all sensitive communications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent monitoring capabilities and conduct reconnaissance activities against protected network resources.