CVE-2023-21842 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Container). 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 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 3.1 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).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21842 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Web Container component, affecting versions 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0 within the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite. This vulnerability operates at the network level and presents an easily exploitable condition that allows unauthorized attackers to gain access to the server without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw resides in the server's HTTP handling mechanisms, specifically within the Web Container component that processes incoming web requests and manages application deployments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage simple network-based techniques to achieve successful compromise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the server is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Web Container's HTTP processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specifically crafted HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication and authorization procedures, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or directly access sensitive server resources. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5, with a base score indicating high confidentiality impact, demonstrates the severity of potential data exposure and unauthorized access to critical system information. This vulnerability does not require any user interaction or privileged access to exploit, as it operates through network-based attacks that can be executed remotely. The attack vector AV:N indicates network access is sufficient for exploitation, while AC:L shows low complexity requirements, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking automated exploitation campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21842 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling complete compromise of Oracle WebLogic Server environments. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to all data accessible through the server, including sensitive application data, user credentials, and system configuration information. Organizations running affected WebLogic Server versions face significant risk of data breaches, system takeover, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's potential for complete data access aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may also relate to CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) or CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) depending on the specific exploitation vector. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers leverage the HTTP protocol to establish their initial foothold.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying Oracle's security patches, implementing network segmentation, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that network-level protections such as firewalls, web application firewalls, and access control lists should be configured to restrict access to WebLogic Server instances. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any unauthorized access that may have occurred prior to implementing mitigations. The CVSS vector specifically indicates no impact to integrity or availability, suggesting that while data confidentiality is severely compromised, the primary risk lies in unauthorized data access rather than system disruption or data modification. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability management processes should be enhanced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unpatched in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security updates for enterprise application servers.