CVE-2020-14640 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).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14640 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's sample applications component, affecting multiple version lines including 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in the server's sample applications functionality, which typically serves as demonstration code but can be exploited in production environments where these samples remain enabled. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows unauthenticated remote exploitation through HTTP protocols, meaning attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring valid credentials or prior access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific flaw in how the WebLogic Server processes certain HTTP requests within its sample applications module. Attackers can craft malicious requests that bypass authentication mechanisms, enabling them to perform unauthorized operations against the server. The CVSS 3.1 scoring of 6.1 reflects the moderate severity of this flaw, with a base score of 6.1 indicating low access complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. The vulnerability's vector shows AV:N (network access), AC:L (low attack complexity), PR:N (no privilege requirements), and UI:R (requires human interaction), suggesting that while the attack itself is straightforward, it necessitates some form of user interaction to be successful. The impact assessment reveals that successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized modification of data through update, insert, and delete operations, along with unauthorized read access to sensitive information within the server's accessible data repositories.
The operational implications of CVE-2020-14640 extend beyond the immediate compromise of the WebLogic Server itself, as the attack can potentially impact additional Oracle products within the same ecosystem. This cascading effect occurs because WebLogic Server often serves as a foundational component in Oracle Fusion Middleware environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The vulnerability's ability to enable unauthorized access to data within the server creates significant risks for organizations that store sensitive information, including customer data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions simultaneously increases the potential attack surface, as organizations may have various systems running different versions of the software, all potentially vulnerable to the same exploitation technique.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official Oracle patches and updates, as the vulnerability's low exploitation complexity and lack of privilege requirements make it particularly dangerous in production environments. The recommended mitigation strategy includes disabling the sample applications functionality if not required for development or testing purposes, applying the latest security patches from Oracle, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to WebLogic Server instances. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as attackers may leverage this weakness to establish persistent access or exfiltrate data from compromised systems. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where WebLogic Server components are exposed to untrusted networks or user populations.