Security Advisory: (BEA04-53.00)

From: BEA Systems Inc.

Minor Subject:Patches are available to prevent password exposure.

Product(s) Affected: WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express

Threat level: Low
The vulnerability requires a user to have read access to the config.xml file.

Severity: High
A user can obtain the database username and password.



A problem was identified that could potentially cause a security vulnerability in certain versions of WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express. Patches are available to correct this problem (see Section II). BEA System treats potential security problems with the highest degree of urgency and does everything possible to ensure the security of all customer assets. As a result, BEA systems strongly suggests the following actions:

I. Read the following advisory.
II. Apply the suggested action.
III. If you know of any additional users interested in future security advisories, please forward them the registration instructions included in this advisory.

I. Advisory

This security vulnerability occurs under the following circumstances:

• When a JDBC connection pool is not targeted to a server yet has a database username and password configured for it.
• When a JDBC connection pool has been untargeted from all servers and has subsequently had the password changed.

In either circumstance, the database password can appear in clear text in the config.xml file. A hacker who gains access to the config.xml file could use it to access the database.

This vulnerability affects sites that have untargeted JDBC connection pools with passwords configured.

• WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 8.1 through Service Pack 2, on all platforms
• WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 7.0 through Service Pack 4, on all platforms
• WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 6.1 through Service Pack 6, on all platforms

II. SUGGESTED ACTION

BEA strongly recommends the following course of actions:

BEA Systems strongly recommends the following course of actions.

WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 8.1

1. Upgrade to WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 8.1 Service Pack 2.

2. Install the patch from: ftp://anonymous:dev2dev%40bea.com@ftpna.bea.com/pub/releases/security/CR128888_81sp2.jar

WebLogic Server version 8.1 Service Pack 3 will include the functionality in this patch.

WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 7.0

Upgrade to WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 7.0 Service Pack 5.

WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 6.1

1. Upgrade to WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express version 6.1 Service Pack 6

2. Install the patch from: ftp://anonymous:dev2dev%40bea.com@ftpna.bea.com/pub/releases/security/CR128888_61sp6.jar

WebLogic Server version 6.1 Service Pack 7 will include the functionality in this patch. BEA strongly suggests that customers apply the remedies recommended in all our security advisories. BEA also urges customers to apply every Service Pack as they are released. Service Packs include a roll-up of all bug fixes for each version of the product, as well as each of the prior Service Packs. Service Packs and information about them can be found at: http://commerce.beasys.com/downloads/weblogic_server.jsp#wls Note: Information about securing WebLogic Server and WebLogic Express can be found at http://e-docs.bea.com/wls/docs81/security.html, Specific lockdown information is provided at http://e-docs.bea.com/wls/docs81/lockdown/index.html. We strongly encourage you to review this documentation to ensure your server deployment is securely configured.

III. FUTURE SECURITY COMMUNICATIONS

As a corporate policy, if there are any security-related issues with any BEA product, BEA Systems will distribute an advisory and instructions with the appropriate course of action. Because the security of your site, data, and code is our highest priority, we are committed to communicating all security-related issues clearly and openly.

All previous advisories and notifications can be viewed at http://dev2dev.bea.com/advisoriesnotifications/.

BEA Systems has established an opt-in emailing list specifically targeted for product security advisories and notifications. As a policy, if a user has opted-in to our emailing list and there are any security issues with the BEA product(s) he/she is using, BEA will distribute an advisory and instructions via email with the appropriate course of action.

ADDITIONAL USERS WHO WISH TO REGISTER FOR ADVISORY DISTRIBUTION SHOULD FOLLOW THE REGISTRATION DIRECTIONS AT http://dev2dev.bea.com/advisoriesnotifications/.

IV. REPORTING SECURITY ISSUES

Security issues can be reported to BEA by sending email to secalert@bea.com or by following the directions at http://dev2dev.bea.com/advisoriesnotifications/. All reports of security issues will be promptly reviewed and all necessary actions taken to ensure the continued security of all customer assets.

If you have any questions or care to verify the authenticity of this advisory, please contact BEA Technical Support at support@bea.com

Thank you,
BEA Systems, Inc.