CVE-2007-0416 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
The WSEE runtime (WS-Security runtime) in BEA WebLogic Server 9.0 and 9.1 does not verify credentials when decrypting client messages, which allows remote attackers to bypass application security.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0416 resides within the Web Services Security Execution environment runtime of BEA WebLogic Server versions 9.0 and 9.1. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the WS-Security implementation that fundamentally undermines the authentication and authorization mechanisms designed to protect web services. The vulnerability specifically affects the decryption process of client messages where the system fails to validate the credentials of the entity attempting to decrypt the message content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper credential validation during the message decryption phase of the WS-Security protocol implementation. When client messages are encrypted for transmission, the WSEE runtime is responsible for decrypting these messages to process their contents. However, the runtime fails to authenticate the requesting entity before performing the decryption operation, creating an authentication bypass condition. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the security controls that should ensure only authorized parties can access decrypted message content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on WebLogic Server for web service implementations. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that would normally be protected by the application security model. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no local system access or elevated privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can interact with the vulnerable web services. The implications extend beyond simple data access, as successful exploitation could lead to further system compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized transaction processing within applications protected by the affected WebLogic Server instances.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in security-critical functions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through web services. Organizations using affected WebLogic Server versions face potential exposure to credential stuffing attacks, man-in-the-middle scenarios, and unauthorized data access patterns that could result in regulatory compliance violations and financial losses. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where WebLogic Server serves as a core component of service-oriented architecture implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected WebLogic Server instances to versions that address the credential verification flaw in the WSEE runtime. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable web services and deploy additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure proper authentication requirements are enforced during message processing, and access controls should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized decryption operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing alternative security measures such as transport layer security enhancements and additional authentication layers to protect against exploitation of this specific vulnerability while awaiting full patch deployment.