CVE-2015-0487 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component in Oracle PeopleSoft Products 8.53 and 8.54 allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity via vectors related to PIA Core Technology, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0472.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0487 represents a security flaw within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component affecting versions 8.53 and 8.54. This issue falls under the broader category of integrity vulnerabilities that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically relates to the PIA Core Technology within the PeopleSoft platform, which serves as the foundation for the PeopleSoft Internet Architecture and handles web-based user interactions. The affected component operates within the PeopleSoft Enterprise environment, which is widely used for business applications including human resources, financials, and supply chain management. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of enterprise software security where flaws in core architectural components can have significant implications for data integrity and system confidentiality.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the PIA Core Technology layer that processes user requests and manages application data flows. Attackers with valid credentials can exploit this weakness to manipulate data integrity within the PeopleSoft environment, potentially altering critical business information without detection. The vulnerability's classification as an integrity-related issue indicates that the attack vector specifically targets the modification of data rather than confidentiality breaches or availability disruption. The distinction from CVE-2015-0472 highlights that this represents a separate code path or architectural weakness within the same software component, suggesting that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the PIA Core Technology framework. The authenticated nature of the attack requires an attacker to first obtain valid user credentials, which could be acquired through various social engineering techniques, credential theft, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the broader PeopleSoft ecosystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0487 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can compromise the trustworthiness of business-critical information within PeopleSoft environments. Organizations utilizing PeopleSoft for financial reporting, human resources management, or other sensitive business processes face potential risks including inaccurate financial data, altered employee records, or manipulated business transactions. The vulnerability's presence in both PeopleTools 8.53 and 8.54 versions indicates a widespread impact across multiple releases, requiring coordinated patch management efforts across affected deployments. Security teams must consider the potential for cascading effects where compromised integrity in one business process could affect related systems or downstream applications that depend on PeopleSoft data. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from external network locations, increasing the attack surface and potentially allowing for automated or large-scale compromise attempts.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate patch application for affected versions, enhanced monitoring of user activities, and strengthened authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, which emphasizes the importance of verifying data integrity throughout the application lifecycle. Security controls should focus on implementing proper access controls, logging and monitoring user activities, and conducting regular security assessments of PeopleSoft environments. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1546 Persistence and T1078 Valid Accounts, as exploitation requires legitimate credentials and may involve establishing persistent access patterns. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and security awareness training for administrators can help prevent credential compromise and reduce the attack surface for such integrity-related vulnerabilities.