CVE-2019-2891 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Console). Supported versions that are affected are 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0 and 12.2.1.3.0. Difficult to exploit 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 8.1 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2891 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's console component, specifically affecting versions 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, and 12.2.1.3.0 within the Fusion Middleware suite. This vulnerability resides in the WebLogic Server console interface which serves as a primary management and administrative access point for the application server. The affected component operates as a web-based console that provides administrators with comprehensive control over the WebLogic Server environment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent control over enterprise application infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication and authorization controls within the WebLogic Server console, allowing unauthenticated attackers to exploit a path traversal or direct object reference vulnerability. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly access administrative functions through HTTP network connections without requiring valid credentials. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit reflects the complexity involved in crafting the precise attack vectors, yet the potential impact remains severe given that successful exploitation can result in complete server compromise. According to the CVSS 3.0 scoring system, this vulnerability achieves a base score of 8.1, indicating high severity with impacts spanning confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is assessed as network-based (AV:N) requiring only network access, while the attack complexity is high (AC:H) due to the technical nature of the exploitation required.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2891 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover and persistent access to enterprise infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges to manipulate server configurations, deploy malicious applications, extract sensitive data, modify system files, and potentially establish backdoors for continued access. This represents a significant threat to enterprise security as WebLogic Server typically serves as a core component in enterprise application environments, often hosting critical business applications and databases. The vulnerability's potential to affect multiple versions within the Oracle Fusion Middleware family means that organizations with legacy systems or those in the process of upgrading may be exposed to this risk. The availability impact is particularly concerning as attackers could potentially disrupt business operations through service denial or complete system compromise, while the confidentiality and integrity impacts enable unauthorized data access and modification.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through Oracle's security patches and updates, as the vulnerability's severity and the potential for successful exploitation make it a critical security concern. The recommended mitigation strategies include applying the appropriate Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) that address this specific vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to limit access to WebLogic Server console interfaces, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls such as IP whitelisting for console access, enabling strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting thorough network audits to identify any unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and may be related to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and initial access through web application exploitation. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation events and consider conducting security awareness training for administrators who may be targeted through social engineering attacks that could complement this technical vulnerability exploitation.