CVE-2023-21839 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Supported versions that are affected are 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 access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21839 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server, specifically within the Core component of Oracle Fusion Middleware. This vulnerability affects multiple supported versions including 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing these server configurations. The flaw resides in the server's handling of network communications and authentication mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the system without requiring prior authentication credentials. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this weakness with minimal technical expertise, significantly increasing the risk to affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to gain access to Oracle WebLogic Server through network-based attacks using T3 and IIOP protocols. T3 is Oracle's proprietary protocol for communication between WebLogic Server instances and clients, while IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) provides interoperability between different object request brokers. These protocols are commonly used for enterprise application communication and management, making their compromise particularly dangerous. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 7.5 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all data accessible through the WebLogic Server. The attack vector requires only network access, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited from remote locations without requiring physical access to the network infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Oracle WebLogic Server for their enterprise applications and services. The potential for unauthorized access to critical data means that sensitive business information, customer data, financial records, and proprietary business intelligence could be compromised. The complete access capability suggests that attackers might not only read data but could potentially modify or delete critical system components, leading to service disruption and data integrity issues. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face the risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the exposure of sensitive information. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any system with exposed T3 or IIOP ports becomes a potential target, regardless of network segmentation or other security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect against this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and firewall configuration should be reviewed to restrict access to T3 and IIOP ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual traffic patterns on these protocols. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected WebLogic Server versions and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and can be mapped to 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 penetration testing should be conducted to verify that mitigation measures are effective and that no additional vulnerabilities exist within the WebLogic Server environment.