CVE-2011-0858 in PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS 9.0 Bundle #15 and 9.1 Bundle #5 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors related to Talent Acquisition Manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0858 resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS version 9.0 Bundle #15 and 9.1 Bundle #5, specifically affecting the Talent Acquisition Manager component. This issue represents a significant security weakness that could potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive human resources data. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, which is common with certain types of security flaws in enterprise software systems. The affected Talent Acquisition Manager module handles critical recruitment and talent management processes, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on PeopleSoft for their HR operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests a flaw in the authentication or authorization mechanisms within the Talent Acquisition Manager, allowing authenticated users to perform actions that should be restricted. According to CWE categorization, this vulnerability likely falls under CWE-284 Access Control Issues or potentially CWE-285 Authorization Issues, where insufficient access controls permit unauthorized data manipulation or disclosure. The fact that it affects both version 9.0 and 9.1 indicates this represents a persistent flaw in the product's security architecture that was not adequately addressed through the bundled updates. The remote aspect of the vulnerability means attackers do not need physical access to systems, and the authenticated requirement suggests the threat comes from users who have already gained legitimate access to the system, potentially through compromised credentials or insider threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it could enable attackers to manipulate recruitment data, alter candidate information, modify hiring processes, and potentially disrupt critical HR operations. In enterprise environments where PeopleSoft HRMS manages sensitive employee data, including personal identification information, salary details, and performance records, such a vulnerability could lead to significant financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The integrity aspect of the vulnerability is particularly concerning as it could allow malicious actors to corrupt recruitment databases, manipulate hiring decisions, or create false records that could affect the entire talent acquisition process. Organizations using this software may face challenges in maintaining audit trails and ensuring the accuracy of their recruitment data, which could have long-term operational consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0858 should focus on implementing comprehensive access control measures, including regular security assessments, privileged access monitoring, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Organizations should ensure that all users have the minimum required privileges for their roles and that regular security patches are applied promptly. The ATT&CK framework suggests that this vulnerability could be exploited through privilege escalation techniques or credential compromise attacks, making it essential for organizations to implement robust identity and access management controls. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or data manipulation attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Given that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported versions and implementing additional security controls as temporary measures until permanent fixes are deployed.