CVE-2023-21931 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
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 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 • 05/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21931 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 T3 protocol implementation which is a binary protocol used for communication between WebLogic Server instances and clients, typically employed for administrative operations and server-to-server communication. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring specialized skills or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the T3 protocol handling within WebLogic Server. Attackers can exploit this weakness by establishing network connections to the T3 service port without providing valid credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the server's administrative functions. This unauthenticated access pathway allows adversaries to potentially execute arbitrary code, retrieve sensitive data, or manipulate server configurations. The 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 is network-based requiring only network access, while the low attack complexity and lack of privileges or user interaction make this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with exposed WebLogic Server instances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete compromise of the affected WebLogic Server instances. Organizations may face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, potential disruption of business operations, and possible lateral movement within network environments where WebLogic servers are deployed. The vulnerability's ability to provide access to all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data means that attackers could potentially access databases, application configurations, user credentials, and other sensitive information stored within or accessible through the server. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access or conduct data exfiltration operations. The impact is further compounded by the fact that WebLogic servers are often deployed in enterprise environments where they serve as critical infrastructure components, making successful exploitation potentially devastating to organizational security posture.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with applying the official Oracle patches and updates released for this CVE. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to T3 protocol ports, particularly in environments where the protocol is not strictly required for legitimate operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by disabling T3 protocol usage where possible and ensuring that any remaining T3 services are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. Monitoring and logging of T3 protocol access attempts should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any other potentially exposed WebLogic Server instances. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious T3 protocol traffic patterns and alert on potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through network service exploitation. Organizations should also review their overall security posture and consider implementing additional controls such as network access control lists, secure configuration baselines, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.