CVE-2013-2959 in InfoSphere Optim Data Growth for Oracle E-Business Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The Console in IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Growth for Oracle E-Business Suite 6.x, 7.x, and 9.x before 9.1.0.3 does not provide an encrypted session for transmitting login credentials, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2959 affects IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Growth for Oracle E-Business Suite versions 6.x, 7.x, and 9.x prior to 9.1.0.3, specifically within the console component that handles user authentication. This represents a significant security weakness in the authentication infrastructure where sensitive login credentials are transmitted over the network without encryption, creating an exploitable vector for man-in-the-middle attacks and credential interception. The flaw exists in the console's communication protocol implementation, which fails to establish secure encrypted channels for transmitting authentication data, thereby violating fundamental security principles for credential handling in networked applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of secure communication protocols during the authentication process. When users attempt to log into the console, their username and password are transmitted in plaintext over the network, making them susceptible to interception by malicious actors who can capture these credentials through network sniffing tools. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and CWE-319, which focuses on the exposure of sensitive information through improper encryption of communication channels. The vulnerability essentially creates an unencrypted communication channel where authentication credentials flow in clear text, making it trivial for attackers to capture and reuse these credentials for unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations using affected IBM InfoSphere Optim versions. Attackers who can intercept network traffic can obtain valid authentication credentials that provide access to sensitive database environments and business-critical data within Oracle E-Business Suite implementations. This vulnerability enables lateral movement within networks where the console is deployed, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to additional systems and data repositories. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where network monitoring tools are present, as the plaintext credentials can be easily captured and analyzed without sophisticated attack techniques, making this a high-impact vulnerability for organizations with inadequate network security controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory encryption for all console communications, deployment of network segmentation to isolate console access, and implementation of network monitoring solutions to detect credential interception attempts. The recommended solution involves upgrading to IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Growth for Oracle E-Business Suite 9.1.0.3 or later versions that include proper encryption for console sessions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing secure remote access solutions such as VPNs or bastion hosts to provide encrypted channels for console access, and establish regular network traffic monitoring to detect anomalous credential transmission patterns. The mitigation strategy should also include mandatory security training for administrators to recognize potential credential interception attacks and implement proper access controls to limit console exposure to authorized personnel only, thereby reducing the attack surface and potential impact of this vulnerability.