CVE-2019-2648 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).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2648 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Web Services component, specifically affecting versions 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, and 12.2.1.3.0. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms within software systems. The flaw exists in the WLS (Web Services) subcomponent of Oracle Fusion Middleware, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the foundational web services infrastructure that many enterprise applications depend upon for communication and data exchange. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring specialized skills or significant resources, making it a high-priority concern for organizations running affected Oracle WebLogic Server versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication controls within the WebLogic Server's HTTP processing mechanisms. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to critical data stored within the WebLogic Server environment. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns a base score of 7.5, reflecting the high severity impact on confidentiality while noting that the attack requires only low complexity and no privileges. The vulnerability's network accessibility means that attackers can potentially exploit it from remote locations without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack vector AV:N indicates network-based exploitation, while the low attack complexity AC:L and lack of required privileges PR:N demonstrate that this vulnerability can be leveraged by virtually any attacker with network connectivity to the affected server.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2648 extends far beyond simple data access violations, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of all data accessible through the affected Oracle WebLogic Server instance. This encompasses sensitive corporate information, user credentials, business data, and potentially system configuration details that could enable further attacks. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risks including data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's ability to affect multiple versions within the 10.3.6, 12.1.3, and 12.2.1 release lines means that organizations must carefully assess their entire WebLogic Server deployment landscape to identify all affected systems. The lack of user interaction requirement (UI:N) and the potential for unauthorized access to critical data (C:H) make this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where WebLogic Server typically serves as a core infrastructure component.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) patches that address this vulnerability, which are available through Oracle's security advisory channels. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to WebLogic Server instances from untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should also include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify any remaining exposure points within the WebLogic Server environment. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems and security information event management solutions to monitor for potential exploitation activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the initial access phase, specifically targeting the T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application technique, making it essential for security teams to monitor and protect their public-facing web services infrastructure. Regular security audits and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure that all affected systems have been properly patched and that no legacy systems remain vulnerable to this and similar attacks.