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CVE-2020-14825

9.8 CRITICAL
Remote Code Execution

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2020-14825 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Oracle WebLogic Server that allows unauthenticated attackers to completely compromise affected servers via IIOP or T3 protocols. This affects WebLogic Server versions 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0. Successful exploitation gives attackers full control over the server with maximum impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Oracle WebLogic Server
Versions: 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0
Operating Systems: All supported platforms
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Vulnerable by default when IIOP or T3 protocols are enabled (common in WebLogic deployments).

📦 What is this software?

Weblogic Server by Oracle

View all CVEs affecting Weblogic Server →

Weblogic Server by Oracle

View all CVEs affecting Weblogic Server →

Weblogic Server by Oracle

View all CVEs affecting Weblogic Server →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete server takeover leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, lateral movement to internal networks, and permanent system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers gain full administrative control of WebLogic Server, deploy malware, steal sensitive data, and use the server as a foothold for further attacks.

🟢

If Mitigated

If network segmentation and access controls are properly implemented, impact is limited to the WebLogic Server instance itself.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Unauthenticated remote exploitation via network protocols makes internet-facing servers extremely vulnerable.
🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internal servers are vulnerable to any attacker with network access to the IIOP/T3 ports.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes
Weaponized: CONFIRMED
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW

Multiple exploit variants exist and have been weaponized in the wild. The vulnerability is easily exploitable with public proof-of-concept code available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Apply October 2020 Critical Patch Update (CPU)

Vendor Advisory: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download October 2020 Critical Patch Update from Oracle Support. 2. Apply patches for WebLogic Server. 3. Restart all WebLogic Server instances. 4. Verify patch application.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Block T3/IIOP Protocols

all

Disable or block access to T3 and IIOP protocols at network perimeter or host firewall.

# Linux firewall example: iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 7001 -j DROP
# Windows firewall: netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block T3" dir=in action=block protocol=TCP localport=7001

Enable Console Protection

all

Configure WebLogic Server to require authentication for console access and disable anonymous access.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Immediately block T3 (port 7001) and IIOP traffic at network firewalls
  • Isolate affected servers in separate network segments with strict access controls

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WebLogic Server version via console or command: java weblogic.version

Check Version:

java weblogic.version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify October 2020 CPU patches are applied and version shows updated patch level

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual T3/IIOP connection attempts
  • Unexpected Java process creation
  • Suspicious class loading in WebLogic logs

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual traffic to WebLogic T3/IIOP ports
  • Malformed IIOP/T3 protocol packets
  • Exploit pattern signatures in network traffic

SIEM Query:

source="weblogic.log" AND ("T3" OR "IIOP") AND ("error" OR "exception" OR "malformed")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-14825
CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published: October 21, 2020
Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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