CVE-2019-2647 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 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0 and 12.2.1.3.0. 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 • 08/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2647 resides within Oracle WebLogic Server's Web Services component, specifically within the WLS subcomponent of Oracle Fusion Middleware. This security flaw affects three major version lines including 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, and 12.2.1.3.0, representing a substantial portion of enterprise web application deployments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such systems often serve as critical infrastructure components. The CVSS score of 7.5 reflects the high severity of potential data compromise, with the confidentiality impact rated as high, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or complete data exposure within the affected server environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the WebLogic Server's web services implementation, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted HTTP requests that can bypass authentication mechanisms. This flaw operates at the network level, requiring only HTTP access to the targeted server, which means that attackers can exploit it from external networks without needing prior access credentials or privileged positions within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it can potentially provide attackers with complete access to all data accessible through the compromised WebLogic Server instance, effectively creating a backdoor for further exploitation activities. The lack of requirement for user interaction or privileged authentication makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and opportunistic threat actors.
From an operational perspective, organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions face significant risk exposure given the vulnerability's ability to enable unauthorized access to critical enterprise data. The attack vector through HTTP means that even organizations with firewalled environments may be vulnerable if external HTTP access is permitted, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web protocols without requiring complex attack chains. Security teams must consider that this vulnerability could serve as an initial access point for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks or privilege escalation activities. The impact on business operations extends beyond immediate data loss, as successful exploitation could lead to regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and damage to organizational reputation. Organizations may also face increased scrutiny from auditors and regulatory bodies due to the potential for unauthorized data access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2647 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Oracle's security updates, as this represents the most effective defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of WebLogic Server instances to only necessary network segments, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on requests that could be leveraging the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all instances of affected WebLogic Server versions and ensure that appropriate security controls are in place. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that defensive measures should address both application-level input validation weaknesses and network-level exposure controls to effectively protect against exploitation attempts.