CVE-2018-3213 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Docker Images). The supported version that is affected is prior to Docker 12.2.1.3.20180913. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3 to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3213 affects Oracle WebLogic Server's Docker Images component within the Fusion Middleware suite, representing a critical security weakness that has significant implications for enterprise environments. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to Docker 12.2.1.3.20180913, making it a targeted issue for organizations running outdated WebLogic Server deployments. The flaw exists within the T3 protocol implementation, which is a proprietary protocol used by Oracle WebLogic Server for communication between clients and servers. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the server is exposed to external traffic.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the T3 protocol handler of the WebLogic Server Docker images. The T3 protocol operates on TCP port 7001 by default and is commonly used for administration and communication purposes within Oracle Fusion Middleware environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted T3 protocol messages that bypass normal authentication checks, allowing them to establish connections to the WebLogic Server without proper credentials. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) as it involves unauthorized access to protected resources and potential cryptographic weaknesses in the communication protocol handling. The attack vector is classified as network-based (AV:N) requiring no prior access privileges, making it particularly concerning for systems that expose WebLogic Server directly to the internet.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3213 is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete data compromise and unauthorized access to all information accessible through the affected WebLogic Server instance. Successful exploitation can result in attackers gaining access to critical business data, user credentials, and sensitive enterprise information stored within the WebLogic environment. The confidentiality impact is rated as high (C:H) according to the CVSS scoring, indicating that attackers can potentially read all data accessible through the compromised server. Additionally, while the current CVSS score does not indicate integrity or availability impacts, the vulnerability creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks that could escalate to full system compromise. Organizations running affected versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, data breach notifications, and significant financial consequences from unauthorized data access. The vulnerability's presence in Docker images specifically means that containerized deployments of WebLogic Server are at risk, affecting modern cloud and DevOps environments that rely heavily on containerization technologies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3213 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle WebLogic Server Docker images to versions 12.2.1.3.20180913 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to WebLogic Server ports, particularly port 7001, ensuring that only authorized systems can communicate with the server. Network firewalls and access control lists should be configured to limit T3 protocol access to trusted IP addresses and networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by disabling unnecessary services and ports, and organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and ensure that all WebLogic Server deployments are updated to supported versions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), as attackers may use these techniques to establish persistence and exfiltrate data from compromised systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify additional security gaps in the WebLogic Server environment.