CVE-2020-2829 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Management Services). The supported version that is affected is 10.3.6.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.9 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2829 resides within Oracle WebLogic Server's Management Services component, specifically affecting version 10.3.6.0.0 within the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that operates at the intersection of network accessibility and privileged user exploitation, creating a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical server resources. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that it requires minimal technical expertise or resources for successful exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such servers often contain sensitive corporate data and business-critical applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the Management Services component, which allows an attacker with high privileges and network connectivity through HTTP protocols to bypass normal authentication mechanisms. This weakness enables the compromise of Oracle WebLogic Server's core data repositories, potentially granting access to all data accessible through the server's management interfaces. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability at 4.9, with a high confidentiality impact score of 8.1, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all server-accessible data. The attack vector requires network access via HTTP, suggesting that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, and the high privilege requirement indicates that the attacker must already possess elevated credentials or have gained some level of access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it creates potential for complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. Organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions face significant risk of data breaches, system downtime, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in industries subject to strict data protection requirements. The vulnerability's characteristics align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all enterprise systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to critical infrastructure, potentially using it as a foothold for broader network infiltration or to conduct advanced persistent threat operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with Oracle's security updates, which typically address the underlying access control flaws through enhanced authentication mechanisms and stricter privilege enforcement. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to WebLogic Server instances, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns, and conduct regular security audits to identify unauthorized access attempts. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the management services component. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict firewall rules to restrict HTTP access to WebLogic Server management interfaces, enabling comprehensive logging and monitoring of management service activities, and establishing robust identity and access management controls to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and conducting regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their broader infrastructure.