CVE-2023-21956 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Container). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0 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 (scope change). 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 • 05/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21956 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebLogic Server's Web Container component, affecting specifically version 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0 of the Fusion Middleware suite. This vulnerability operates at the network level and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain access through HTTP protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior authentication credentials. The flaw's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it with minimal technical sophistication, while the CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 reflects moderate severity with significant implications for both confidentiality and integrity of affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Web Container component, which allows malicious actors to manipulate HTTP requests in ways that can bypass normal access controls. The requirement for human interaction from someone other than the attacker suggests that the exploitation may involve social engineering elements or require specific user actions that create a pathway for the attack. This aspect of the vulnerability increases its potential impact as it can leverage human factors alongside technical weaknesses, making it particularly challenging to defend against through traditional network security measures alone.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate compromise of Oracle WebLogic Server itself, as it can significantly affect additional products within the scope of the attack. This scope change characteristic indicates that successful exploitation can create cascading effects throughout an organization's infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to access interconnected systems and services that rely on or interact with the compromised WebLogic Server. The unauthorized access capabilities include update, insert, and delete operations on sensitive data within the server's accessible data stores, alongside unauthorized read access to subsets of data that organizations consider confidential or critical.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) framework, where it aligns with weaknesses related to insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under initial access and privilege escalation techniques, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially expand their access within the network. Organizations must implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patch deployment, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring of HTTP traffic to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise networks, as it provides a pathway for data exfiltration and system manipulation without requiring advanced technical skills or credentials.
The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) clearly indicates that network-based attacks are possible with low attack complexity, no prior privileges required, and that user interaction is needed for successful exploitation. The scope change component (S:C) demonstrates that the vulnerability can impact additional products beyond the primary target, while the confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as low severity but still significant given the potential for unauthorized data manipulation. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts and implement additional security controls to protect against potential exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where WebLogic Server serves as a critical component of enterprise infrastructure.