CVE-2020-2546 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Application Container - JavaEE). Supported versions that are affected are 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3 to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/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 • 03/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2546 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Application Container component, specifically affecting JavaEE applications. This vulnerability exists in two major version lines: 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0, making it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining legacy systems that have not yet been upgraded to more secure releases. The flaw resides in the T3 protocol implementation which is used for communication between WebLogic Server instances and clients, creating an attack surface that extends beyond traditional network boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication checks within the T3 protocol handler, allowing unauthenticated attackers to establish connections and execute arbitrary commands on the target server. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly interact with the server's internal components. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible due to the lack of authentication requirements, meaning that an attacker only needs network connectivity to the target server to launch an attack. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the severity of potential impacts including complete compromise of the server's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected WebLogic Server instance. This compromise can result in data exfiltration, modification of critical applications, denial of service conditions, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. Organizations running vulnerable versions of WebLogic Server face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks, potentially leading to broader security breaches. The attack vector through T3 protocol means that systems exposed to the internet or accessible from untrusted networks are particularly at risk.
Security mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Oracle's security updates, as this vulnerability has been addressed through official patches. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to WebLogic Server instances, particularly those running vulnerable versions. The T3 protocol should be disabled or restricted to trusted networks only, and comprehensive monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual network traffic patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1105 for remote service access and T1071 for application layer protocols. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify T3 protocol usage and anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts.