- Windows HPC hits top 10 among supercomputers
- Ruby on Rails rolls into the enterprise
- Mobile phone chargers are energy vampires
- 10 IT security companies to watch
- Researchers getting the lead out of electronics
Oracle is scrambling to create an emergency patch for a severe vulnerability in the company's WebLogic server, as exploit code is circulating on the Web.
The company issued a rare security alert on Tuesday, the first off-schedule warning since it introduced a regularly scheduled patch release cycle more than three years ago.
The problem lies in the Apache plugin for the Oracle WebLogic Server and Express products (formerly known as BEA WebLogic), both application servers.
The vulnerability can be exploited over a network without a need for a username or a password, wrote Oracle's Eric Maurice, in an advisory.
The flaw can result in "compromising the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the targeted system," Maurice wrote. The problem scores a 10.0, the most serious rating, on the CVSS scale (Common Vulnerability Scoring System), a framework used to evaluate the risks of a particular flaw.
Oracle advised administrators to implement a workaround while it is working to create a patch.
"We expect this fix to be ready very soon, and we will issue an updated Security Alert to let customers know about its availability," Maurice wrote.
The person who published exploit code didn't warn Oracle in advance, Maurice wrote. The exploit code was released after July 15, the last time Oracle issued patches.
Releasing or using exploit code just after patches have been issued is a tactic often employed against other companies such as Microsoft, which patches on the second Tuesday of every month. Hackers are trying to maximize the amount of time they can take advantage of a flaw before a company issues patches again.
Microsoft, however, has been known to issue out-of-cycle patches for highly dangerous flaws. (Compare Patch and Vulnerability Management products)
| NetworkWorld, Inc. | About Network World, Inc. | Advertise | Careers | Contact us | Terms of Service/Privacy | Reprints and links | Partnerships | Press room | Subscribe to NW |
| IDG, Inc. | CIO | Computerworld | CSO | Demo | GamePro | Games.net | IDGconnect.com | IDG World Expo | Infoworld | JavaWorld.com | LinuxWorld.com | MacUser | Macworld | PC World | Playlistmag.com | The Industry Standard | IDG List Services | IDG TechNetwork |
 The Leader in Network Knowledge© 1994-2008 Network World, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Partner Content
Brilliantly simple security and control solutions for email, web and endpoint
www.sophos.com
Stopping data leakage
Learn how to exploit your current security investment to control the information that flows into, through and out of your network.
Download the white paper.
Why detection rates aren't enough
Evaluating endpoint security products is a time-consuming and daunting task. Learn the six critical questions you need to ask prospective vendors to get the right endpoint solution.
Download the white paper.
Applications: taking back control
Employees installing unauthorized applications is a growing threat to business security and productivity. Cost-effectively reduce this threat by integrating control into your malware protection.
Learn more today.
Comment