CVE-2007-4616 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
The SSL server implementation in BEA WebLogic Server 7.0 Gold through SP7, 8.1 Gold through SP6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 Gold through MP1, and 10.0 sometimes selects the null cipher when no other cipher is compatible between the server and client, which might allow remote attackers to intercept communications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4616 represents a critical weakness in the Secure Sockets Layer implementation within BEA WebLogic Server versions spanning multiple release lines from 7.0 through 10.0. This flaw specifically manifests in the server's cipher suite selection mechanism where the system occasionally defaults to using a null cipher when no mutually acceptable encryption algorithms can be established between the client and server components. The null cipher effectively provides no encryption protection, creating a significant security risk that undermines the fundamental purpose of SSL/TLS communication protocols. This behavior violates the core security principles that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to enforce, as it allows attackers to potentially intercept and decrypt sensitive data transmitted between clients and the vulnerable server instances.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate error handling within the SSL handshake process where the server fails to properly validate cipher suite compatibility and instead falls back to an insecure null cipher rather than rejecting the connection attempt entirely. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-327 weakness category, specifically addressing the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, and more specifically relates to CWE-326 which deals with the absence of encryption or use of weak encryption. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality assurances that organizations rely upon when implementing SSL/TLS protections. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, decrypt sensitive communications, and potentially access confidential business data, user credentials, and proprietary information transmitted through the vulnerable WebLogic server instances.
The security implications of CVE-2007-4616 align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and defense evasion. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent access to encrypted communications channels without detection, as the null cipher provides no cryptographic integrity or confidentiality. Organizations using affected WebLogic Server versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information through this backdoor mechanism. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WebLogic Server is commonly used in enterprise environments for critical business applications, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise sensitive organizational data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected WebLogic Server installations with the vendor-provided security updates that address the improper cipher suite selection logic. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous SSL handshake behaviors and establish strict cipher suite policies that explicitly disable null cipher usage. The recommended approach involves configuring the server to reject connections when no secure cipher suite can be negotiated, rather than falling back to insecure defaults. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected WebLogic Server versions and ensure proper SSL/TLS configuration practices are implemented across all networked applications. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate that the mitigations are properly implemented and effective in preventing exploitation of this vulnerability.