CVE-2020-14638 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Sample apps). Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle WebLogic Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14638 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's sample applications component, affecting multiple version streams including 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. This weakness resides in the Fusion Middleware suite's weblogic server implementation and operates as an easily exploitable vulnerability that requires minimal prerequisites for successful exploitation. The vulnerability's accessibility through standard HTTP network protocols creates a significant attack surface that can be leveraged by unauthenticated remote adversaries without requiring any prior authentication credentials or specialized access privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the sample applications framework of Oracle WebLogic Server. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized operations against the server's data management systems, specifically allowing for unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on sensitive data within the server's accessible database components. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data modification as it also permits unauthorized read access to restricted data subsets, creating a comprehensive breach of both data integrity and confidentiality. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system rates this vulnerability at 6.1 out of 10, with the base vector indicating network accessibility (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no required privileges (PR:N), and the need for human interaction (UI:R) to complete successful exploitation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing Oracle WebLogic Server deployments, particularly those with exposed HTTP endpoints or internet-facing servers. The requirement for human interaction suggests that while the initial exploitation may be automated, successful completion often involves user engagement with malicious payloads, potentially through phishing attacks or compromised web applications. The vulnerability's potential to affect additional products within the Oracle ecosystem means that successful exploitation could create cascading effects across enterprise infrastructure, impacting not just the primary WebLogic server but related Oracle products and services. Organizations with multiple WebLogic server instances across different environments face heightened risk due to the widespread nature of this vulnerability across supported version lines.
The security implications of CVE-2020-14638 align with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" where adversaries target vulnerabilities in externally accessible applications. The attack vector specifically relates to network-based exploitation through HTTP protocols, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with insufficient network segmentation or inadequate firewall policies. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching affected systems, network segmentation to isolate WebLogic servers, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. The vulnerability's classification under CVSS 3.1's confidentiality and integrity impact ratings indicates that it represents a serious concern for data protection and system integrity, requiring urgent attention from security teams to prevent potential data breaches or unauthorized system modifications.