CVE-2019-2452 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 high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.7 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2452 resides within Oracle WebLogic Server's WLS Core Components subcomponent, representing a critical security flaw that affects specific version releases including 10.3.6.0, 12.1.3.0, and 12.2.1.3. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains and presents a significant risk to enterprise environments relying on Oracle Fusion Middleware solutions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics that align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and specifically targets the authentication and authorization frameworks within the WebLogic Server architecture. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers require minimal technical expertise to leverage this weakness effectively.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated attack vector that permits high-privileged attackers to establish network connections through HTTP protocols, effectively bypassing traditional access controls. This particular flaw operates within the broader context of the Oracle WebLogic Server's security model, where legitimate administrative functions are being subverted to enable unauthorized modifications to system data. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to manipulate critical data through creation, deletion, or modification operations while simultaneously gaining read access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's design permits attackers to execute operations that could result in complete denial of service conditions, causing system crashes that require manual intervention to restore normal operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2452 extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system availability disruption. Organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions face potential exposure to unauthorized administrative actions that could fundamentally alter system configurations and data integrity. The confidentiality aspect of this vulnerability allows attackers to access subsets of data that should remain protected, while the integrity component enables modifications that could corrupt critical business information. The availability impact represents a particularly severe concern as the vulnerability can cause complete system hangs or repeated crashes that effectively render the WebLogic Server unusable. This disruption directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how a single vulnerability can create cascading effects across enterprise infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle's security advisories, as the company has released specific fixes for the affected versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to WebLogic Server instances, particularly restricting HTTP access to only authorized administrative networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced through strict access control policies that prevent unauthorized users from establishing network connections to the affected components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of HTTP traffic or administrative access attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any additional WebLogic Server instances that may be running unsupported versions, as the vulnerability landscape extends beyond the explicitly mentioned affected releases. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in staging environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility with existing applications and configurations.