CVE-2021-2294 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2021
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 T3, IIOP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2294 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Core component that affects multiple version releases 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 weakness stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that permit unauthorized network access through established protocols such as T3 and IIOP, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring specialized skills or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where WebLogic Server serves as a core enterprise application platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of authentication requests within the WebLogic Server's communication protocols. Attackers can exploit this weakness by establishing connections through T3 (Thin Client Protocol) or IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) interfaces, which are commonly used for remote administration and application deployment. These protocols typically require proper authentication and authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to server resources. However, the flaw allows attackers to bypass these security controls entirely, enabling them to perform unauthorized operations against the server. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's core functionality where it processes incoming requests and manages access controls, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate server configurations and data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to include significant availability risks and potential service disruption. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against sensitive data within the WebLogic Server environment, potentially leading to data corruption or loss of critical business information. Additionally, attackers can cause partial denial of service conditions that affect server availability and application performance, impacting business continuity and operational efficiency. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns a base score of 6.5, reflecting the moderate severity of integrity and availability impacts, though the lack of user interaction requirements and network accessibility makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments. The vulnerability's potential for partial DOS conditions means that even limited exploitation can significantly impact service availability and system performance.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to WebLogic Server ports, disabling unnecessary protocols such as T3 and IIOP where possible, and applying Oracle's security patches as soon as they become available. Network-level controls should focus on restricting access to the affected ports to only trusted administrative networks and IP addresses. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and network monitoring can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected WebLogic Server versions within their infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when considering the network-based attack vectors. Regular security audits and configuration reviews should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the Oracle Fusion Middleware stack.