CVE-2020-14882 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
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, 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 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 • 02/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14882 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's console component, specifically affecting multiple versions 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. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-287, which addresses authentication failures, and aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics. The flaw exists in the server's handling of HTTP requests and demonstrates how insufficient authentication mechanisms can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper authentication checks within the WebLogic Server console interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unauthenticated network access using HTTP protocols, making it particularly dangerous as no prior credentials or privileged access are required to initiate the attack. The vulnerability's CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 indicates high severity across all impact vectors including confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This means successful exploitation can result in complete system takeover, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, and potentially disrupt business operations. The low attack complexity and lack of required privileges make this vulnerability highly attractive to threat actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14882 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within enterprise networks where WebLogic Server instances are deployed. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to the complete takeover of the WebLogic Server instance, enabling attackers to modify configurations, deploy malicious applications, or establish backdoors for continued access. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebLogic servers often host critical business applications and sensitive data repositories.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to WebLogic Server instances, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block malicious traffic. Additional protective measures involve disabling unnecessary console access, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that organizations should prioritize remediation efforts, as the window for exploitation is significant and threat actors are likely to actively target unpatched systems. Regular monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure rapid response to any security events related to this vulnerability.