CVE-2022-21259 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Samples). Supported versions that are affected are 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 require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle WebLogic Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21259 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's sample components, specifically affecting versions 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0 within the Fusion Middleware suite. This vulnerability resides in the WebLogic Server's sample functionality, which typically serves as demonstration or testing components that should not be exposed in production environments. The flaw manifests as an easily exploitable security weakness that allows unauthenticated attackers to gain access to the server through HTTP network connections without requiring any prior authentication credentials or privileged access. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 6.1, indicating a medium severity level, though the potential impact extends beyond the immediate server environment. The attack vector requires network access via HTTP protocol, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited from remote locations without the need for physical access or additional authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the sample components of WebLogic Server. The flaw allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations including update, insert, and delete actions against certain data accessible through the server, while also enabling unauthorized read access to a subset of the server's accessible data. This represents a critical compromise of both data integrity and confidentiality aspects, as attackers can modify existing data or create new entries while also accessing sensitive information that should remain protected. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by its ability to affect additional products beyond the immediate WebLogic Server instance, indicating potential cascading effects throughout the broader Oracle Fusion Middleware ecosystem. The requirement for human interaction from someone other than the attacker suggests that the exploitation might involve social engineering elements or require specific user actions that could be induced through phishing or other deceptive means.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend far beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate critical business processes and compromise the overall integrity of enterprise applications running on the affected WebLogic Server instances. Organizations utilizing these specific versions of WebLogic Server face significant risk of data corruption, unauthorized modifications to business-critical information, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with basic technical skills and network access can potentially compromise systems without extensive preparation or specialized tools. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where WebLogic Server samples are inadvertently exposed to external networks or where proper security boundaries have not been established. The CVSS vector indicates that while the attack requires human interaction, the potential for significant impact across multiple products suggests that this vulnerability could be leveraged as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks within enterprise networks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Updates or patches specifically addressing CVE-2022-21259. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) categories, which are fundamental security weaknesses that have been consistently identified as high-risk in enterprise environments. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to isolate WebLogic Server instances, disable or remove sample components from production environments, and conduct thorough network scans to identify any exposed instances. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may use various network protocols to reach the vulnerable HTTP endpoints. Additionally, implementing robust monitoring and logging of HTTP access to WebLogic Server components will help detect unauthorized access attempts and provide valuable forensic data for incident response activities. Organizations should also review their overall security posture to ensure that sample and demonstration components are not inadvertently exposed to untrusted networks or users, as these components often contain minimal security controls and are typically not designed for production use environments.