CVE-2018-3246 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: WLS - Web Services). Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.3.0 and 12.2.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP 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 CVE-2018-3246 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Web Services component, specifically affecting versions 12.1.3.0 and 12.2.1.3. This vulnerability resides within the WLS (WebLogic Server) subsystem of Oracle Fusion Middleware, making it particularly dangerous as it targets a fundamental component of enterprise application infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring specialized skills or privileged access, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on Oracle WebLogic Server deployments.
This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation within the Web Services implementation, allowing attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests that bypass authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the network level with CVSS vector AV:N, meaning no network proximity is required for exploitation, and AC:L, indicating low attack complexity. The flaw enables unauthenticated access to critical server resources, which aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in security architecture. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the core Web Services functionality that many enterprise applications depend upon for communication and data exchange.
The operational impact of successful exploitation can be devastating, potentially leading to complete compromise of all data accessible through the affected WebLogic Server instance. Attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the server, including proprietary data, user credentials, and business-critical information. The confidentiality impact is rated as high (C:H) in the CVSS scoring, reflecting the potential for extensive data breaches that could result in financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Organizations may experience unauthorized data exfiltration, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, as the compromised server often serves as a central point for enterprise communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Oracle WebLogic Server versions, with priority given to applying Oracle's security patches released in their quarterly updates. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to WebLogic Server ports, particularly those used for HTTP communication. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application), making network monitoring and application-layer security controls essential defensive measures. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other enterprise applications and infrastructure components.