CVE-2018-3191 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: WLS Core Components). Supported versions that are affected are 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0 and 12.2.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3 to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
The CVE-2018-3191 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Oracle WebLogic Server that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability resides within the WLS Core Components subcomponent of Oracle Fusion Middleware and affects specific version releases including 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, and 12.2.1.3. The vulnerability's severity is underscored by its CVSS 3.0 base score of 9.8, which indicates high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains. The attack vector specifically leverages T3 protocol access, making it particularly dangerous as T3 is a commonly used communication protocol for WebLogic Server administration and management operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through an unauthenticated attacker who can access the affected WebLogic Server over the network using the T3 protocol. This protocol typically operates on port 7001 by default and is designed for administrative communication between WebLogic Server instances and management tools. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server, effectively enabling complete compromise of the affected system. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation means that attackers do not require any authentication credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WebLogic servers are exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2018-3191 can lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the compromised WebLogic Server. This level of access enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, deployment of additional malware, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond individual server compromise as WebLogic servers often serve as critical infrastructure components in enterprise environments, potentially providing access to sensitive databases and applications. Organizations may face severe consequences including regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited successfully.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework where it maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization mechanisms in enterprise middleware. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to WebLogic Server T3 ports, applying Oracle's security patches, and configuring firewalls to block T3 protocol access from untrusted networks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.