CVE DatabaseCVE-2020-14883

Updated 2026-06-17한국어 권고문 →

CVE-2020-148837.2/HIGHCISA KEV

Oracle WebLogic Server Console Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerability Analysis and Mitigation Guide (CVE-2020-14883)

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Affected Vendors

oracle

Affected Components

weblogic_server

Published Date

2020-10-21

CVSS v3.1

7.2

HIGH

EPSS (30d)

97.7%

FIRST.org

CISA KEV

Exploited

NVD Source ↗

Executive & SecOps Summary

SECOPS ASSESSMENT

Affected Scope

Oracle WebLogic Server versions 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, and 14.1.1.0.0

Impact

Unauthenticated or high-privileged network attackers can bypass authentication via HTTP to execute arbitrary code and take over the server

Mitigation

Apply the official Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) immediately and restrict external access to the administration console

Affected Products & Version Scope

Oracle WebLogic Server: 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0

Remediation & Live Workaround Commands

PATCH & WORKAROUND

1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands

Apply the latest Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) using the Smart Update (BSU) utility. Use the following commands to apply the patch:

bash

# Set WebLogic environment variables
cd /u01/app/oracle/middleware/wlserver/server/bin
source ./setWLSEnv.sh

# Navigate to Smart Update and apply the downloaded patch
cd /u01/app/oracle/middleware/utils/bsu
./bsu.sh -install -patch_download_dir=/u01/app/oracle/middleware/utils/bsu/cache_dir -patchlist=PATCH_ID -prod_dir=/u01/app/oracle/middleware/wlserver

2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration

If patching cannot be performed immediately, restrict access to the /console path using an external reverse proxy or firewall rules.

nginx

# Nginx configuration to block external access to WebLogic Console
server {
    listen 80;
    server_name weblogic.internal;

    # Block external access to the console path
    location /console {
        allow 10.0.0.0/8;
        deny all;
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:7001;
    }
}

3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands

Inspect WebLogic access logs for directory traversal patterns and unauthorized console access attempts.

bash

# Scan access logs for path traversal attempts targeting the console
grep -Ei '(/console/|/css/|/images/).*\.\./' /u01/app/oracle/middleware/user_projects/domains/*/servers/*/logs/access.log

# Search for suspicious class instantiation or MBean execution attempts
grep -Ei 'handle|FileSystemXmlApplicationContext' /u01/app/oracle/middleware/user_projects/domains/*/servers/*/logs/access.log

Interactive SecOps Remediation Checklist

0/4 (0%)

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Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics

1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause

This vulnerability (CVE-2020-14883) is a critical security flaw in the Console component of Oracle WebLogic Server. The root cause lies in improper input validation and authorization bypass mechanisms within the administrative console's request handling architecture. This allows network-based attackers to bypass standard authentication controls and execute administrative actions.

2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request targeting the WebLogic Administration Console (typically on port 7001). By leveraging double-encoded path traversal sequences (e.g., utilizing specific resource paths like /console/images/ or /console/css/ combined with directory traversal), the attacker evades the front-end authorization filters. Once bypassed, the attacker can chain this with MBean handlers to instantiate arbitrary Java classes, leading to OS-level command execution under the context of the WebLogic process.

3. Infrastructure & Business Impact

As a cataloged CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV), this flaw is actively targeted by threat actors globally. Successful exploitation grants the attacker complete control over the WebLogic Server instance. This can lead to full infrastructure compromise, lateral movement within the internal network, deployment of ransomware, and unauthorized access to backend databases containing sensitive corporate data.

Official Vendor Advisories & References

NVD Original English Description

Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Console). Supported versions that are affected are 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebLogic Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.2 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160143/Oracle-WebLogic-Server-Administration-Console-Handle-Remote-Code-Execution.html

Source: secalert_us@oracle.com · Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

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

Source: secalert_us@oracle.com · Vendor Advisory

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160143/Oracle-WebLogic-Server-Administration-Console-Handle-Remote-Code-Execution.html

Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 · Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

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

Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 · Vendor Advisory

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-14883

Source: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 · US Government Resource

Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2020-14883)

FAQ

Q1. How critical is CVE-2020-14883 and is it actively exploited in the wild?

CVE-2020-14883 is rated CVSS 7.2 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 97.7%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.

Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2020-14883?

Primary impacted vendors include oracle across weblogic_server. Scope summary: Oracle WebLogic Server: 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0

Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2020-14883 before patching?

[Mitigation] Apply the official Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) immediately and restrict external access to the administration console Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.

SECOPS WORKBENCH INTEGRATION