CVE-2013-0391 in PeopleSoft PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the PeopleSoft PeopleTools component in Oracle PeopleSoft Products 8.52 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors related to Security.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0391 resides within the PeopleSoft PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products version 8.52, representing a significant security weakness that affects both confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. This unspecified vulnerability operates within the security framework of the PeopleSoft platform, which is widely deployed across enterprise environments for business process management and human capital management solutions. The affected component specifically relates to the security mechanisms that govern access controls and data protection within the PeopleSoft ecosystem, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on this enterprise software suite.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls within the PeopleTools component, which allows authenticated remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in the system's security architecture. While the exact vector remains unspecified in the initial description, such vulnerabilities typically involve flaws in authentication mechanisms, authorization checks, or data validation processes that enable malicious actors to manipulate or access protected resources. The authentication requirement suggests that attackers must first establish valid credentials before exploiting the vulnerability, but once authenticated, they can potentially bypass normal security boundaries. This classification aligns with common security weaknesses documented in the CWE database, particularly those related to insufficient authorization checks and improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0391 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises both confidentiality and integrity aspects of the information security triad. Organizations utilizing PeopleSoft 8.52 may experience unauthorized data access, modification of critical business information, or potential data leakage through compromised security controls. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the corporate network, potentially leading to widespread data compromise across multiple business processes managed by PeopleSoft. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where PeopleSoft serves as a central hub for financial, human resources, and supply chain management systems, making the potential impact on business operations and regulatory compliance significant. The security implications extend to potential violations of data protection regulations and industry compliance frameworks such as SOX, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, depending on the nature of the data being processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0391 should focus on immediate patch management and enhanced security monitoring within the PeopleSoft environment. Organizations must prioritize applying the official Oracle security patches released for this vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, enhanced access logging, and regular security assessments. The vulnerability's classification as a security weakness in the PeopleTools component suggests that implementing proper access control measures and conducting thorough security reviews of authentication mechanisms will be crucial. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would likely map to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, requiring defensive measures that address both the specific weakness and broader security posture improvements. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the vulnerability is properly addressed without introducing regressions in system functionality, while also establishing continuous monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.