CVE-2008-0895 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express 6.1 through 10.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication for application servlets via crafted request headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0895 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting BEA WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express versions ranging from 6.1 through 10.0. This issue resides within the servlet request processing mechanism where improperly validated request headers can be manipulated to circumvent the authentication controls that protect application servlets. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of HTTP headers that are processed during the request handling cycle, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that appear to originate from authenticated users or systems with elevated privileges.
From a technical perspective, the flaw occurs when the WebLogic server processes incoming HTTP requests and fails to properly validate or sanitize specific request headers that are typically used for authentication context determination. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting HTTP requests containing specially formatted headers that manipulate the server's interpretation of the request context, effectively bypassing the authentication mechanisms that should normally validate user credentials and session tokens. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization, and more specifically aligns with CWE-345, requiring the presence of a security flaw that allows bypass of authentication controls. The attack vector is remote and requires no prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected application servlets without providing valid credentials. This means that sensitive data, administrative functions, and business-critical applications running on affected WebLogic servers could be compromised, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects organizations using BEA WebLogic Server or WebLogic Express in production environments, where these application servers typically host enterprise applications that require robust authentication and authorization controls. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where access control is paramount. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing, as it enables attackers to leverage compromised or forged authentication contexts to gain access to protected resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0895 involve immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific header validation issues. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to WebLogic server endpoints and employ web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP headers. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust input validation at the application level, configuring proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application stack. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper header sanitization and authentication context validation in enterprise application servers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and continuous monitoring of application server configurations to prevent similar authentication bypass scenarios.