CVE-2006-2469 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP handlers in BEA WebLogic Server 9.0, 8.1 up to SP5, 7.0 up to SP6, and 6.1 up to SP7 stores the username and password in cleartext in the WebLogic Server log when access to a web application or protected JWS fails, which allows attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2469 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Server versions 9.0, 8.1 through SP5, 7.0 through SP6, and 6.1 through SP7. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication failures within the server's HTTP processing components, creating a significant exposure that directly compromises the security posture of affected systems. The flaw manifests when users attempt to access protected web applications or JWS (Java Web Services) resources, resulting in the logging of sensitive authentication credentials in plain text format. This represents a fundamental failure in secure logging practices and demonstrates a critical oversight in how the server manages authentication failures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the HTTP handler components of WebLogic Server that are responsible for processing incoming requests and managing authentication processes. When authentication attempts fail, the server's logging mechanism inadvertently captures and stores the username and password information in cleartext within the WebLogic Server log files. This occurs regardless of whether the authentication failure is due to incorrect credentials, expired sessions, or other access control violations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of the application server, meaning that any failed authentication attempt, whether legitimate or malicious, results in credential exposure. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding credential handling and secure logging practices, as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-540, which addresses the inclusion of sensitive information in log files.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-2469 extends far beyond the immediate exposure of individual credentials, creating a cascading security risk that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. Attackers who gain access to the WebLogic Server log files can immediately extract valid username and password combinations, which may then be used to authenticate as legitimate users within the application environment. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of the WebLogic Server platform, potentially exposing a wide range of enterprise applications that rely on this middleware. The cleartext storage of credentials in log files provides attackers with immediate access to authentication material without requiring additional exploitation techniques, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise environments. The risk is amplified when considering that these log files are often accessible to system administrators and may be stored in locations with insufficient access controls, creating additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2469 must address both the immediate exposure of credentials and the underlying architectural flaw in the logging mechanism. Organizations should implement immediate patching procedures to upgrade to supported versions of BEA WebLogic Server that resolve this vulnerability, as the affected versions have reached end-of-life status and no longer receive security updates. System administrators must configure the logging mechanisms to prevent the storage of authentication credentials in log files, which can be achieved through custom logging configurations that filter out sensitive information or by implementing centralized logging solutions that can redact or mask credential data. Access controls around log file directories should be strictly enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access these sensitive files. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access to log files and alert security teams to potential credential exposure events. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access categories, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that prevent sensitive data from being stored in insecure locations.