CVE-2018-2987 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Console). Supported versions that are affected are 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, 12.2.1.2 and 12.2.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle WebLogic Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2987 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's console component, specifically affecting multiple version lines including 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, 12.2.1.2, and 12.2.1.3. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms within software applications. The flaw resides in the console's authentication handling system, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical server functions. The vulnerability's exploitability rating of easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such systems are often exposed to external networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user credentials within the WebLogic Server console interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specifically crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable server without providing any authentication credentials, thereby bypassing the normal authentication process. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 6.1, reflecting moderate severity with specific impacts to both confidentiality and integrity. The attack vector AV:N indicates network-based exploitation, meaning the vulnerability can be triggered from remote locations without requiring physical access to the system. The low attack complexity AC:L suggests that the exploit requires minimal technical skills, while the lack of required privileges PR:N demonstrates that no prior authentication is needed to initiate the attack. The human interaction requirement UI:R indicates that successful exploitation may require some form of user involvement, though this is typically minimal and often automated.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2987 extends beyond the immediate compromise of the WebLogic Server itself, potentially affecting interconnected systems and applications that rely on the server for critical operations. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized modification of data through update, insert, and delete operations, while also enabling unauthorized read access to sensitive information stored within the server's accessible data repositories. The CVSS vector specifically indicates that this vulnerability can cause significant impact across multiple products, as noted by the S:C classification, suggesting that the compromise may affect additional software components beyond the immediate WebLogic Server instance. The confidentiality impact C:L and integrity impact I:L scores indicate that attackers can access and modify data within the server's scope, potentially leading to data corruption, information leakage, or unauthorized system modifications that could disrupt business operations and compromise sensitive organizational data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) that address this specific weakness, as well as implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the WebLogic Server console. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected server to only authorized administrative users and systems. The implementation of additional authentication layers, such as SSL/TLS certificate validation and multi-factor authentication, can provide additional protection against unauthorized access attempts. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect any suspicious activities related to the console access, while also ensuring that all systems are regularly patched and updated according to Oracle's security advisory guidelines. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique through weak authentication mechanisms highlights the need for comprehensive security controls that address multiple attack vectors and prevent lateral movement within compromised networks.