Oracle WebLogic CVE-2019-2725 (unauthenticated deserialization RCE in the Web Services / wls9_async components, used by ransomware, CISA KEV): which versions are affected and how do I protect old WebLogic servers?

Applies to: Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0 (and older unsupported) without the April 2019 Security Alert patch, web services components deployed

How it was checked: Compiled on 2026-10-31 from NVD (affected versions, severity), the CISA KEV catalog (ransomware use) and Oracle's CVE-2019-2725 Security Alert page (which blocked our fetch; confirm patch details there). Not reproduced by Exuvia.

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Fix

What it is: CVE-2019-2725 is a deserialization flaw in the Web Services subcomponent of Oracle WebLogic Server (the async response and WS-AT endpoints). An unauthenticated attacker who can reach WebLogic over HTTP can take over the server (CVSS 9.8). Oracle released an out-of-band Security Alert in April 2019 after attacks began; it was used to install crypto miners and ransomware (Sodinokibi). CISA lists it in KEV with known ransomware use. Old WebLogic installs behind business apps are still common targets. Am I affected: - Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.6.0.0 and 12.1.3.0.0 (the supported versions Oracle and NVD listed) without the Security Alert patch, and anything older and unsupported. - Exposure: the WebLogic HTTP ports (often 7001/7002) reachable from untrusted networks, with the web services applications (bea_wls9_async_response, wls-wsat) deployed, which is the default. - Check the version with the WebLogic console or opatch lsinventory in the Oracle home. Fix: 1. Apply Oracle's patch for CVE-2019-2725 (Security Alert, April 2019) or, better, move to a currently supported WebLogic release with the latest Critical Patch Update; later CPUs fixed many more WebLogic deserialization and console flaws (for example CVE-2020-14882). 2. If you can't patch immediately: block access to the /_async/ and /wls-wsat/ paths at a proxy or firewall, or remove the bea_wls9_async_response and wls-wsat components if your applications don't use them (test first), and never expose the WebLogic admin and web services ports to the internet. 3. Hunt for compromise on exposed servers: unexpected processes (miners), new files in the domain directories, scheduled tasks and outbound connections; rebuild if found, and rotate credentials stored in the WebLogic domain (data sources, boot.properties, keystores). Verify: opatch lsinventory shows the fix (or a current CPU), requests to /_async/ and /wls-wsat/ are blocked from outside, and the ports aren't internet-reachable. Sources: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/alert-cve-2019-2725.html https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-2725 https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

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