CVE-2016-0464 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 10.3.6, 12.1.2, and 12.1.3 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via vectors related to WLS-Console.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0464 resides within Oracle WebLogic Server component of the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite, specifically affecting versions 10.3.6, 12.1.2, and 12.1.3. This issue represents a significant security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise the integrity of affected systems through the WLS-Console interface. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability details suggests a complex underlying flaw within the server's console management functionality that operates at a fundamental level of the application's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests through vectors specifically related to the WebLogic Server Console component, which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing WebLogic Server instances. This console functionality provides users with extensive control over server configuration, deployment management, and system monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate or corrupt data within this console environment, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of critical server configurations, deployment artifacts, or system settings. The attack surface extends beyond simple command execution to encompass data integrity violations that can fundamentally alter the operational state of the targeted WebLogic Server instances.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Oracle WebLogic Server for mission-critical applications and services. The ability to compromise integrity through the console interface means that attackers can silently modify server configurations without detection, potentially leading to service disruption, data corruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The remote nature of the attack vector eliminates the need for physical access or local system compromise, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is unavoidable. Organizations may experience cascading effects as compromised console integrity can lead to broader system instability and potential data loss across interconnected applications.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and potentially CWE-311, concerning the exposure of sensitive data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique when attackers leverage console vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized administrative capabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, restricting network access to the WebLogic Console through firewall rules, implementing network segmentation, and conducting thorough security assessments of their WebLogic Server configurations. Additionally, monitoring for unusual console activities and implementing robust access controls with multi-factor authentication can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of exploitation attempts.