CVE-2013-0388 in PeopleSoft HRMS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the PeopleSoft HRMS component in Oracle PeopleSoft Products 9.1 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Mobile Company Directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0388 resides within the PeopleSoft HRMS component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products version 9.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to compromise data integrity through unspecified attack vectors associated with the Mobile Company Directory functionality. This vulnerability specifically targets the mobile directory component that allows employees to access company directory information through mobile devices, creating an attack surface that extends beyond traditional desktop environments. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may encompass multiple exploitation pathways or that the exact technical details were not fully disclosed in the initial vulnerability report, which is common with certain types of integrity-related flaws in enterprise software systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the Mobile Company Directory module's handling of data processing and validation mechanisms, where insufficient input validation and access control measures allow unauthorized modifications to company directory data. This represents a significant weakness in the application's data integrity protection framework, as the vulnerability specifically targets the ability to affect data integrity rather than availability or confidentiality. The Mobile Company Directory functionality typically serves as a repository for employee contact information, organizational hierarchies, and other sensitive personnel data that requires strict integrity controls. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially alter employee records, modify organizational structures, or manipulate directory entries to facilitate further attacks or create false information within the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to enterprise security and business continuity, particularly for organizations relying heavily on PeopleSoft HRMS for human resources management. The ability to affect data integrity through remote exploitation means that attackers could corrupt critical personnel information, potentially disrupting business operations, compromising compliance requirements, and creating security vulnerabilities that extend beyond the immediate scope of the Mobile Company Directory. Organizations using this component may face regulatory compliance issues, as data integrity violations can trigger mandatory reporting requirements and potential legal consequences. The remote nature of the attack vector significantly amplifies the risk, as attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments with extensive mobile device usage and remote access capabilities.
Security mitigations for CVE-2013-0388 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, as this represents a known vulnerability with documented remediation procedures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the Mobile Company Directory functionality, particularly restricting access from untrusted networks and mobile devices. Additional controls include implementing robust input validation mechanisms, strengthening authentication protocols for directory access, and establishing comprehensive monitoring of directory modification activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may exhibit characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) when attackers leverage compromised directory data to maintain persistence. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in related components and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing data integrity compromises. Regular security audits of mobile applications and directory services should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure ongoing protection against similar vulnerabilities in the PeopleSoft ecosystem.