CVE-2006-2546 in WebLogic
Summary
by MITRE
A recommended admin password reset mechanism for BEA WebLogic Server 8.1, when followed before October 10, 2005, causes the administrator password to be stored in cleartext in the domain directory, which could allow attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2546 represents a critical security flaw in BEA WebLogic Server 8.1 that emerged from a flawed password reset implementation. This issue specifically affected the administrative password reset mechanism that was recommended for use before October 10, 2005, creating a window of exposure where sensitive authentication credentials were inadvertently stored in an unencrypted format within the server's domain directory structure. The flaw stems from inadequate security controls during the password reset process, where the system failed to properly encrypt or obfuscate administrative credentials during their temporary storage phase, thereby violating fundamental security principles of credential protection and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of security best practices and standards such as those outlined in CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and CWE-312, which covers cleartext storage of sensitive data. When administrators followed the recommended password reset procedures, the system would store the new administrative password in plain text format within the domain configuration files, making these credentials immediately accessible to any entity with file system access to the domain directory. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper credential management, as the password reset mechanism itself became a vector for credential exposure rather than a security enhancement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of WebLogic Server installations that were configured to use the affected reset mechanism. Attackers who gained access to the domain directory could immediately retrieve the cleartext passwords and leverage them to assume administrative privileges, effectively bypassing all other authentication mechanisms and security controls within the application server. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with administrative privileges, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector that could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The exposure period was particularly concerning as it affected installations that had not yet received security updates or patches, leaving organizations vulnerable to exploitation during the window between the release of the vulnerable mechanism and the implementation of proper security measures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive remediation strategies including immediate password resets for all administrative accounts, implementation of proper file system access controls to restrict domain directory access, and deployment of encryption mechanisms to protect sensitive configuration data. The mitigation approach should also include regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in legacy systems, as well as establishing proper change management processes to prevent the use of insecure administrative procedures. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure credential handling throughout the entire lifecycle of authentication mechanisms, particularly in enterprise application servers where administrative access can provide complete system control. The incident highlights the necessity of following security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and system configuration management, ensuring that administrative procedures do not inadvertently create security weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.