CVE-2021-2033 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2021
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core Components). Supported versions that are affected are 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 low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.3 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2033 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle WebLogic Server's Core Components, specifically targeting versions 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. This flaw resides in the server's handling of HTTP requests and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation gaps can create substantial risks for enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can successfully compromise affected systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on WebLogic Server for critical business operations. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns a base score of 4.3, with the availability impact component carrying significant weight at level 4.0, reflecting the potential for partial denial of service that can disrupt business-critical applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and potentially inadequate request processing within the WebLogic Server's core components. Attackers can leverage this weakness through standard HTTP network connections, requiring only low privilege credentials to execute successful attacks. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the scope of CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and demonstrates how inadequate sanitization of user-provided data can lead to system compromise. The attack vector analysis reveals that no additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques are required, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt services without significant effort. The partial denial of service impact means that while complete system shutdown may not occur, the availability of critical services can be significantly degraded, affecting business operations and potentially leading to financial losses.
From an operational standpoint, organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions face substantial risks as this vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who may already have limited network access to their environments. The low privilege requirement means that even compromised accounts with minimal permissions could be leveraged to cause service disruption, making it difficult to detect and contain such attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad, as outlined in cybersecurity frameworks, and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" within the adversary tactics and techniques framework. The partial denial of service condition suggests that attackers can target specific services or components rather than attempting to bring down entire systems, which may make detection more challenging for security operations teams. Organizations utilizing WebLogic Server for mission-critical applications must consider the potential for cascading failures that could impact multiple dependent systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-2033 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Oracle's security updates, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to WebLogic Server instances and employ intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting network access to WebLogic Server components and ensuring that only authorized personnel have the necessary credentials to interact with these systems. Additionally, security monitoring should include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in the broader infrastructure. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and configuring proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly identify and respond to denial of service events that may be related to this vulnerability, as the partial nature of the impact requires careful monitoring to prevent escalation to complete service outages.