CVE-2011-3568 in Fusion Middleware
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Web Services Manager component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.3, 11.1.1.4, and 11.1.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors related to Web Services Security.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3568 resides within Oracle Web Services Manager component of Oracle Fusion Middleware versions 11.1.1.3, 11.1.1.4, and 11.1.1.5, representing a significant security weakness in enterprise web services infrastructure. This unspecified vulnerability falls under the broader category of web services security flaws that can compromise the fundamental principles of information security. The affected component is part of Oracle Fusion Middleware suite which serves as a critical integration platform for enterprise applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on secure web service communications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses in the Web Services Security implementation within Oracle Web Services Manager, though the specific vector remains unspecified in the initial description. This type of vulnerability typically involves flaws in how security mechanisms are implemented, potentially affecting authentication, authorization, or encryption processes within web service communications. The unspecified nature suggests that the vulnerability could manifest through multiple attack paths related to security token handling, message integrity checks, or cryptographic implementations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would likely map to CWE-255, which encompasses issues related to security credentials and authentication mechanisms, or potentially CWE-310, focusing on cryptographic weaknesses in web service security implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it affects both confidentiality and integrity of web service communications. Attackers with authenticated access to the system could potentially manipulate web service messages, compromise sensitive data transmitted through web services, or disrupt service availability. The remote aspect of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, and the authenticated requirement suggests that the attack could be executed by individuals who have legitimate access rights but are attempting to exploit their privileges for malicious purposes. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001, which involves privilege escalation through abuse of credentials, or potentially T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
Organizations utilizing affected Oracle Fusion Middleware versions face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly those handling sensitive data through web services. The impact could range from data leakage through compromised confidentiality to service disruption through integrity violations, affecting business continuity and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's presence in multiple patch levels indicates a persistent flaw in the security implementation rather than a one-time oversight. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and ensuring timely patch deployment as mitigation strategies. Additionally, organizations should review their web service security configurations and implement additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of enterprise middleware components to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in web services security implementations.