CVE-2024-21007 Overview
A critical vulnerability exists in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). This missing authentication vulnerability (CWE-306) allows unauthenticated attackers with network access via T3 or IIOP protocols to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle WebLogic Server accessible data.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can gain unauthorized access to critical data through T3 or IIOP protocols without any user interaction required.
Affected Products
- Oracle WebLogic Server 12.2.1.4.0
- Oracle WebLogic Server 14.1.1.0.0
Discovery Timeline
- April 16, 2024 - CVE-2024-21007 published to NVD
- May 21, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-21007
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function), indicating that the affected WebLogic Server versions fail to properly authenticate requests to critical functionality. The vulnerability exists in the Core component of Oracle WebLogic Server and can be exploited remotely via network access through the T3 or IIOP protocols.
The attack requires no privileges, no user interaction, and has low complexity, making it easily exploitable by remote attackers. The impact is focused on confidentiality, allowing attackers to access sensitive data that would otherwise be protected.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-21007 lies in missing authentication controls within the Core component of Oracle WebLogic Server. The T3 and IIOP protocols, which are used for communication between WebLogic Server instances and clients, do not properly verify authentication credentials before granting access to protected resources. This allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the server.
Attack Vector
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network by connecting to the vulnerable WebLogic Server instance using either the T3 or IIOP protocol. The T3 protocol is Oracle's proprietary protocol for communication with WebLogic Server, typically running on port 7001, while IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) is used for CORBA-based communication.
The attack flow involves establishing a connection to the WebLogic Server's T3 or IIOP endpoint and sending specially crafted requests that exploit the missing authentication checks. Without proper validation, the server processes these requests and returns sensitive data to the attacker. See the Oracle Security Alert April 2024 for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21007
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected connections to WebLogic Server T3 port (default 7001) from external or unauthorized IP addresses
- Unusual IIOP traffic patterns or connections from unknown sources
- Access logs showing requests to WebLogic Server resources without corresponding authentication events
- Anomalous data exfiltration patterns from WebLogic Server hosts
Detection Strategies
- Monitor network traffic for T3 and IIOP protocol connections from untrusted sources
- Implement IDS/IPS rules to detect exploitation attempts targeting WebLogic Server protocols
- Review WebLogic Server access logs for unauthenticated access to sensitive resources
- Deploy network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement from compromised WebLogic instances
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on WebLogic Server instances to capture authentication and access events
- Configure SIEM alerts for unusual patterns of T3 or IIOP traffic to WebLogic Server ports
- Implement network flow analysis to baseline normal WebLogic communication patterns and detect anomalies
- Monitor for data exfiltration indicators from systems hosting WebLogic Server
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21007
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Oracle Critical Patch Update from April 2024 immediately to all affected WebLogic Server instances
- Restrict network access to T3 and IIOP ports (default 7001) using firewall rules to allow only trusted sources
- Disable T3 and IIOP protocols if they are not required for your environment
- Implement network segmentation to isolate WebLogic Server instances from untrusted networks
Patch Information
Oracle has released security patches addressing this vulnerability in the April 2024 Critical Patch Update. Organizations running Oracle WebLogic Server versions 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0 should apply the appropriate patches as soon as possible. The patch addresses the missing authentication controls in the Core component.
Workarounds
- Configure WebLogic Server connection filters to restrict T3 and IIOP access to specific IP addresses
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) or reverse proxy to filter traffic before it reaches the WebLogic Server
- Use network-level access controls to limit exposure of WebLogic Server management interfaces
- Consider disabling unnecessary protocols and services on WebLogic Server instances
# Example: Configure WebLogic connection filter to restrict T3 access
# Add to config.xml within the <server> element
# 1. Create a connection filter file (e.g., /path/to/filter.rules)
# Allow T3 from trusted subnet only:
# 10.0.0.0/8 * * allow
# * * * deny
# 2. Configure the filter in WebLogic Admin Console:
# Domain Structure > Security > Filter
# Set Connection Filter to: weblogic.security.net.ConnectionFilterImpl
# Set Connection Filter Rules as needed
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
