CVE-2018-3245 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 • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3245 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's T3 protocol implementation, specifically affecting versions 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, and 12.2.1.3. This vulnerability resides within the WLS Core Components subcomponent of Oracle Fusion Middleware and demonstrates a significant weakness in the server's authentication mechanisms. The T3 protocol, which is used for communication between WebLogic Server instances and clients, has been exploited to allow unauthorized access without requiring any valid credentials or authentication tokens. This represents a fundamental breach in the server's security architecture, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability from any network location without needing to authenticate first.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the T3 protocol's inherent design flaws that permit remote code execution and system compromise. The flaw allows attackers to send malicious T3 protocol messages that bypass authentication checks entirely, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and specifically relates to the lack of proper authentication mechanisms within network protocols. The CVSS 3.0 score of 9.8 indicates the severity of this flaw, with high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the affected WebLogic Server instances, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and further lateral movement within targeted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3245 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code, install malware, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the target environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where WebLogic Server serves as a critical component for business applications, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to gain access to sensitive corporate data. The ease of exploitation and lack of authentication requirements means that this vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise, significantly increasing the risk to organizations that have not patched their systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) patches as soon as possible. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to T3 protocol ports, particularly in production environments where such access is not strictly required. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and monitoring for suspicious T3 protocol traffic can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected WebLogic Server versions within their infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical enterprise applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) as attackers can leverage the compromised server to execute commands and potentially move laterally within networks.