CVE-2023-21964 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was published by Oracle on April 18, 2023, with a reserved date of December 17, 2022.

Understanding CVE-2023-21964

This CVE pertains to a vulnerability found in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware, specifically affecting versions 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3 to compromise the Oracle WebLogic Server.

What is CVE-2023-21964?

CVE-2023-21964 is an easily exploitable vulnerability that enables an unauthenticated attacker to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized actions resulting in a hang or frequently repeatable crash of the Oracle WebLogic Server, causing complete denial of service (DOS).

The Impact of CVE-2023-21964

The impact of CVE-2023-21964 is significant, with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.5 (High) in terms of availability impacts. The vector string associated with this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21964

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Oracle WebLogic Server allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3 to compromise the server, potentially leading to a complete DOS situation. The issue lies in the Core component of Oracle Fusion Middleware.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following versions of Oracle WebLogic Server are affected:

12.2.1.3.0
12.2.1.4.0
14.1.1.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21964, an unauthenticated attacker would need network access via T3 to compromise the Oracle WebLogic Server.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21964, certain immediate steps can be taken along with long-term security practices and patching.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches provided by Oracle promptly.
Implement network security best practices to limit unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released security updates to address CVE-2023-21964. It is crucial for organizations to apply these patches as soon as possible to protect their systems from exploitation.