CVE-2019-2658 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 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in 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 • 08/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2658 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's WLS Core Components, specifically affecting versions 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0 within the broader Oracle Fusion Middleware ecosystem. This vulnerability operates at the network level and presents an easily exploitable condition that does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations operating exposed weblogic servers. The flaw resides in the server's handling of HTTP requests, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to compromise the entire WebLogic Server instance without requiring valid credentials or prior access to the system. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 9.8 indicates the highest severity level, reflecting the comprehensive impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-2658 occurs through specifically crafted HTTP requests that leverage the WebLogic Server's deserialization functionality, which falls under CWE-502 - Deserialization of Untrusted Data. Attackers can send malicious payloads through HTTP requests that trigger the server to deserialize untrusted input, resulting in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic remote code execution flaw that allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and further lateral movement within the network. The attack vector requires only network access and does not necessitate any privileged credentials, making it accessible to threat actors with basic network connectivity to the target system.
The operational impact of successful exploitation extends far beyond simple server compromise, creating significant risks for enterprise environments that rely on WebLogic Server for critical business applications. Organizations may experience complete loss of service availability, unauthorized data access, and potential data corruption or exfiltration. The vulnerability's ability to enable full server takeover means that attackers can install backdoors, modify application logic, access sensitive databases, and use the compromised server as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This threat scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, where attackers may leverage compromised servers to execute malicious code, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, potentially using the compromised server for data exfiltration through various network protocols.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including applying the official Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) patches, which address the underlying deserialization vulnerability in the WebLogic Server components. Network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to WebLogic Server ports, particularly the default HTTP port 7001, can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns and conducting regular security assessments of WebLogic Server configurations are essential defensive measures. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-502 emphasizes the need for robust input validation and secure deserialization practices, while its alignment with ATT&CK framework techniques highlights the importance of layered security approaches that include network segmentation, privileged access controls, and continuous monitoring of system integrity to prevent unauthorized access and maintain operational resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.