CVE-2020-14825 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Supported versions that are affected are 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 IIOP, T3 to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/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 • 11/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14825 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Core component, specifically affecting versions 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. This vulnerability operates at the network level and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain access through IIOP (Internet Inter-Orb Protocol) or T3 (WebLogic T3 Protocol) communication channels. The severity classification of CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 places this vulnerability in the highest risk category, indicating that it can result in complete compromise of the affected system with impacts spanning confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation means that attackers can successfully compromise Oracle WebLogic Server without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that have exposed these services to untrusted networks.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2020-14825 stems from insufficient input validation within the WebLogic Server's core processing mechanisms, specifically when handling requests through the IIOP and T3 protocols. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be processed by the server without proper authentication checks, leading to unauthorized access and potential remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable attackers to fully take control of the server, allowing them to execute arbitrary code, modify data, and potentially establish persistence within the target environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because both IIOP and T3 protocols are commonly used for legitimate communication within Oracle WebLogic Server environments, making the vulnerability difficult to detect and defend against.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting CVE-2020-14825 is catastrophic for organizations relying on Oracle WebLogic Server for critical business applications. A compromised server can result in complete data breaches, system downtime, and potential regulatory violations depending on the nature of the data hosted on the server. The vulnerability's ability to affect all three core security principles means that attackers can simultaneously read sensitive information, modify critical system data, and disrupt service availability. Organizations may experience significant financial losses due to data theft, system restoration costs, and potential legal consequences from regulatory compliance violations. The attack vector through IIOP and T3 protocols also means that this vulnerability can be exploited from external networks, potentially allowing attackers to compromise systems that are not properly isolated from untrusted networks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include network segmentation to isolate WebLogic Server instances from untrusted networks, disabling unnecessary protocols such as IIOP and T3 where possible, and implementing robust network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerability signatures. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their environment, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security weaknesses in the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), highlighting the need for layered defensive measures including network access controls, application firewalls, and continuous monitoring solutions.