Security Advisories and Notifications

Subject: Security Advisory (BEA08-110.01)

From: Oracle Corporation

Minor Subject: Cleartext database password in the config.xml file

Product(s) Affected: WebLogic Portal

This security advisory (BEA08-110.01) contains the corrected remedy for this vulnerability on WebLogic Portal 7.0. Please disregard security advisory BEA06-110.00, as this advisory, BEA08-110.01 supersedes BEA06-110.00.

Threat level: Low

The config.xml file on the server's file system may contain cleartext passwords.

Severity: Medium

Database passwords in clear text may allow unauthorized access to database.

A problem was identified that could potentially cause a security vulnerability in certain versions of WebLogic Portal. Upgrade and patches are available to correct this problem (see Section II). Oracle treats potential security problems with a high degree of urgency and endeavors to take appropriate steps to help ensure the security of our customers' systems. As a result, Oracle strongly suggests the following actions:

  1. I. Read the following advisory.
  2. II. Apply the suggested action.
  3. 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

All WebLogic Portal sites that have configured the RDBMS Authentication provider are susceptible to this vulnerability.

The database password for the WebLogic Portal RDBMS Authentication provider is stored in cleartext in the config.xml file on the server's file system. If an attacker gains access to this file then the database password will be compromised.

This patch resolves the issue by ensuring that database password for the RDBMS Authentication provider is encrypted in the config.xml file.

The following versions of WebLogic Portal are affected by this vulnerability

  • WebLogic Portal 8.1 released through Service Pack 3, on all platforms.
  • WebLogic Portal 7.0 Service Pack 4 through Service Pack 7, on all platforms.

II. SUGGESTED ACTION

Oracle strongly recommends the following course of actions.

WebLogic Portal version 8.1

  1. Upgrade to WebLogic Portal 8.1 Service Pack 4.

WebLogic Portal version 7.0 SP4-SP7

  1. Download and apply the patch #7824946 from OracleMetaLink as per the instructions below:
    1. Select the Patches and Updates tab after logging in to OracleMetaLink.
    2. Click Simple Search.
    3. In the Search By field, select Patch Number from the list.
    4. Enter the patch number. The patch number may be different for different product releases and platforms.
    5. Select the platform (or choose generic as applicable)
    6. Click Go.
    7. Click Download to download the patch.

SECURITY COMMUNICATIONS

Oracle strongly suggests that customers apply the remedies recommended in all our security advisories. Oracle also urges customers to apply every Service/Maintenance Pack as they are released. Service/Maintenance Packs include a roll-up of all bug fixes for each version of the product, as well as each of the prior Service/Maintenance Packs. Service/Maintenance Packs.

As a policy, if there are any security-related issues with any Oracle product, Oracle 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.

Additional users who wish to register for product advisory distribution should follow the registration directions at: http://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/.

Security issues can be reported to Oracle by following the directions at: http://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/.

Thank you,

Oracle Corporation