CVE-2020-14859 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 10.3.6.0.0, 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 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-2020-14859 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server, specifically within the Core component of Oracle Fusion Middleware. This vulnerability affects multiple version lines including 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0, indicating a widespread impact across the WebLogic Server product lineage. The flaw resides in the server's handling of network protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain network access to the system. The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 places this vulnerability in the critical severity category, reflecting the high potential for damage to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) and T3 (WebLogic T3 Protocol) network interfaces, which are fundamental communication mechanisms within the WebLogic Server architecture. These protocols are commonly used for distributed object communication and server-to-server communication within enterprise environments. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server without requiring authentication credentials, making it exceptionally dangerous for organizations that have these protocols exposed to untrusted networks. The attack surface is significantly expanded when these protocols are accessible from external networks, as they provide direct pathways for exploitation without the need for prior access or credentials.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2020-14859 can result in complete compromise of the Oracle WebLogic Server instance. This includes potential full system takeover, allowing attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the WebLogic Server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as attackers can potentially establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The high CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the severe consequences that can materialize from exploitation, including complete system compromise and potential data breaches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to IIOP and T3 ports, disabling these protocols entirely if they are not required for business operations, and applying the official Oracle patches released for this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity on the affected protocols and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, as it involves the server's insufficient validation of network protocol inputs. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute commands on the compromised system. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of WebLogic Server and ensure timely patch management across all enterprise environments.