CVE-2007-0417 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server 7.0 through 7.0 SP7, 8.1 through 8.1 SP5, 9.0, and 9.1, when using the WebLogic Server 6.1 compatibility realm, allows attackers to execute certain EJB container persistence operations with an administrative identity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0417 represents a critical authentication and authorization flaw within BEA WebLogic Server versions spanning multiple releases including 7.0 through 7.0 SP7, 8.1 through 8.1 SP5, 9.0, and 9.1. This issue specifically manifests when the server operates in WebLogic Server 6.1 compatibility realm mode, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls that permit attackers to leverage administrative capabilities through specific EJB container persistence operations, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that should protect sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the compatibility layer between WebLogic Server versions, where the older 6.1 realm configuration fails to properly enforce security restrictions for EJB persistence operations. Attackers can manipulate the system to execute persistence operations that typically require administrative privileges, effectively allowing them to perform actions such as modifying security configurations, accessing restricted data, or manipulating the application server's internal state. This flaw operates at the container level within the EJB framework, where persistence mechanisms are designed to maintain application state but become exploitable when proper authentication checks are bypassed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, specifically focusing on inadequate privilege management and authentication enforcement within enterprise application servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with administrative-level access to the WebLogic Server environment, potentially enabling complete system compromise. Once exploited, attackers can perform operations such as creating new administrative users, modifying existing security policies, accessing sensitive application data, or even deploying malicious code within the application server context. The attack surface is particularly concerning because WebLogic Server serves as a foundational component for many enterprise applications, making this vulnerability a prime target for sophisticated attacks. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to operate with elevated privileges through legitimate administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0417 should prioritize immediate patching of affected WebLogic Server installations to the latest security releases from Oracle. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to WebLogic Server instances, particularly those running in compatibility modes. Disabling the WebLogic Server 6.1 compatibility realm when not actively required provides an additional layer of defense. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary administrative functions are exposed, and that proper access controls are enforced through role-based access control mechanisms. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy compatibility layers. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual persistence operation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and avoiding the use of deprecated compatibility modes that introduce unnecessary security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to monitor for EJB-related attack patterns, as these systems provide an additional detection capability for such container-level exploits.