CVE-2007-4614 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server 9.1 does not properly handle propagation of an admin server s security policy change log to temporarily unavailable managed servers, which might allow attackers to bypass intended restrictions, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-0426.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4614 affects BEA WebLogic Server version 9.1 and represents a significant security flaw in the server's handling of administrative security policy updates. This issue specifically manifests when the administration server attempts to propagate security policy change logs to managed servers that are temporarily unavailable. The flaw stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the WebLogic Server architecture that govern how security configurations are distributed across server domains. When managed servers are unreachable during policy update operations, the system fails to maintain consistent security states between the administration server and its managed components, creating potential entry points for unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WebLogic Server's security policy propagation mechanism that relies on reliable communication channels between administration and managed servers. When managed servers cannot receive immediate updates due to network issues, server downtime, or other availability problems, the administration server continues to operate under the assumption that all managed servers have received the latest security policies. This creates a window where an attacker could potentially exploit the inconsistent security state by targeting managed servers that have not yet received updated security restrictions. The vulnerability specifically relates to the server's failure to properly validate or enforce security policies on managed servers that are temporarily unreachable, allowing for potential privilege escalation or access bypass scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the integrity of WebLogic Server's security model by creating inconsistent access controls across the server domain. Attackers who can manipulate the timing or availability of managed servers may exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to resources that should be restricted based on updated security policies. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the administrative level, potentially allowing attackers to bypass access controls that are critical for protecting sensitive data and system resources. This weakness undermines the fundamental security architecture of WebLogic Server and could enable attackers to perform actions that would normally be restricted based on security policy updates.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a specific instance of inadequate privilege management in distributed server environments. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with elevated privileges, as the flaw could enable attackers to leverage compromised or misconfigured administrative policies to gain unauthorized access. Organizations using WebLogic Server 9.1 should implement immediate mitigations including ensuring reliable network connectivity between administration and managed servers, implementing proper monitoring for server availability states, and applying security patches as soon as they become available. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain consistent security policy enforcement across all server components in the domain.