CVE-2018-2998 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: SAML). 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 low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. 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 5.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2998 resides within Oracle WebLogic Server's SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) subcomponent, representing a significant security weakness in Oracle Fusion Middleware that affects multiple version lines including 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, 12.2.1.2, and 12.2.1.3. This flaw operates at the intersection of identity management and web application security, where SAML protocols are used to facilitate single sign-on and authentication across enterprise applications. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebLogic servers typically serve as critical infrastructure components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the SAML processing functionality of WebLogic Server. Attackers can exploit this weakness through HTTP network connections, requiring only low privilege access to potentially execute unauthorized operations against the server. The vulnerability's impact encompasses both confidentiality and integrity aspects, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized data modifications including updates, inserts, and deletes to accessible database content, while also enabling read access to sensitive information within the server's data scope. This dual impact creates a comprehensive security breach that can lead to data corruption, information disclosure, and potential system compromise. The CVSS 3.0 score of 5.4 reflects the moderate severity of this vulnerability, with the vector indicating network accessibility, low attack complexity, and limited privileges required for exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Oracle WebLogic Server for enterprise application hosting and identity management. The SAML component typically handles authentication requests from various identity providers and service consumers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to enterprise resources. The compromised server could potentially serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network, particularly since WebLogic servers often have access to sensitive databases and internal resources. Organizations may experience unauthorized data manipulation, loss of data integrity, and potential exposure of confidential information that could impact business operations and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's presence in multiple supported versions means that a wide range of enterprise deployments could be affected, requiring comprehensive assessment and remediation efforts across different system architectures.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-2998 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, as the vulnerability affects multiple supported versions requiring coordinated updates across different system environments. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of WebLogic servers to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts or data modification activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) categories, representing weak authentication mechanisms that allow privilege escalation and data access violations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, indicating that attackers may use network-based exploitation methods to gain elevated privileges and access sensitive data within the enterprise infrastructure.