CVE-2007-4613 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
SSL libraries in BEA WebLogic Server 6.1 Gold through SP7, 7.0 Gold through SP7, and 8.1 Gold through SP5 might allow remote attackers to obtain plaintext from an SSL stream via a man-in-the-middle attack that injects crafted data and measures the elapsed time before an error response, a different vulnerability than CVE-2006-2461.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
This vulnerability exists within the SSL implementation of BEA WebLogic Server versions 6.1 through 8.1, specifically affecting the cryptographic libraries responsible for secure communication. The flaw represents a timing-based side-channel attack that exploits the differences in response times between successful and failed SSL operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform a man-in-the-middle attack by injecting crafted data into SSL streams and measuring the elapsed time before receiving error responses. This vulnerability operates on the principle that different cryptographic operations take varying amounts of time to complete, creating observable timing differences that can be exploited to infer sensitive information. The issue is classified as a timing attack that falls under CWE-320, which addresses weaknesses related to the use of insecure or weak cryptographic algorithms. This vulnerability differs from CVE-2006-2461, which dealt with a different class of SSL vulnerabilities, making CVE-2007-4613 a distinct threat vector. The timing differences occur because the SSL library performs different cryptographic operations when processing malformed data versus valid data, with the error handling routines taking measurable amounts of time to process and return responses. This timing discrepancy provides attackers with a method to determine whether specific cryptographic operations succeeded or failed, ultimately enabling them to reconstruct plaintext information from encrypted SSL streams. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the server's ability to maintain confidentiality under attack conditions. The vulnerability affects the core SSL processing capabilities of WebLogic Server, making it particularly dangerous for applications that rely on secure communication channels. Attackers can potentially recover sensitive data such as session keys, user credentials, or other confidential information that flows through the SSL connections. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it a significant concern for organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001, which covers application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting SSL/TLS protocols. Organizations using affected versions of BEA WebLogic Server face a critical security risk that could lead to complete compromise of encrypted communications. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in cryptographic libraries can create significant security weaknesses that undermine the entire security model of a system. The timing attack mechanism represents a sophisticated approach to information extraction that exploits the predictable nature of cryptographic operation delays. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper error handling in cryptographic implementations and the need for constant vigilance against side-channel attacks. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they can be automated and executed without requiring deep technical knowledge of the underlying cryptographic protocols. Security researchers have identified this as a critical vulnerability that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The timing-based nature of the attack makes it particularly difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches, as the malicious activity appears to be normal network communication. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the complex security challenges inherent in implementing cryptographic protocols and the critical importance of thorough testing and validation of security controls. The issue represents a failure in the cryptographic library's resistance to timing-based side-channel attacks, which are considered among the most challenging types of vulnerabilities to defend against. The affected WebLogic Server versions require immediate remediation through official patches provided by BEA Systems, as no effective workarounds exist for this specific vulnerability. The broader implications suggest that similar timing vulnerabilities may exist in other cryptographic implementations, requiring comprehensive security assessments across all systems that rely on secure communication protocols. This vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to maintain current security practices and to regularly update their systems to address newly discovered threats in cryptographic implementations.