CVE-2015-4739 in Application Object Library
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library component in Oracle E-Business Suite 11.5.10.2 allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Help screens.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4739 resides within the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite version 11.5.10.2, representing a critical security weakness that undermines data integrity through unauthorized modification of help screen content. This flaw specifically affects authenticated users who can leverage their access privileges to manipulate system components, creating potential pathways for data corruption and unauthorized information alteration. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the impact on system integrity is clearly defined.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and potentially CWE-20, concerning input validation issues that could enable attackers to manipulate application behavior. The affected Oracle Application Object Library component serves as a foundational element for numerous business applications within the E-Business Suite, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from an operational standpoint. Attackers exploiting this weakness could potentially modify help documentation, system messages, or other informational elements that users encounter during application interaction, thereby compromising the integrity of system information and potentially misleading end users about application functionality or security status.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing Oracle E-Business Suite, as it allows authenticated users to introduce malicious content into help screens that may be accessed by other system users. The integrity compromise could manifest through various means including injection of misleading information, modification of error messages, or alteration of system documentation that users rely upon for proper application usage. This type of attack vector represents a form of privilege escalation where users with legitimate access can exploit their authenticated status to modify system content, potentially creating confusion, reducing system usability, or concealing malicious activities within help system interfaces.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass data integrity violations that could impact business operations. The help screens within Oracle E-Business Suite often contain critical system information, usage instructions, and operational guidance that users depend upon for proper system interaction. When these elements become compromised, the overall reliability and trustworthiness of the application environment is diminished, potentially leading to operational errors, security misconfigurations, or unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack pattern that includes both direct system manipulation and indirect information warfare through compromised user interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4739 should focus on implementing comprehensive access control measures, regular security assessments of Oracle Application Object Library components, and timely application of Oracle security patches. The remediation process requires organizations to evaluate their current authentication and authorization mechanisms within the E-Business Suite environment, ensuring that users cannot modify help content without appropriate administrative privileges. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring user activities, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting, regular security audits, and maintaining updated security configurations to protect against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy Oracle E-Business Suite installations. The vulnerability's impact on system integrity underscores the importance of maintaining robust security controls throughout the application lifecycle and implementing proper change management processes for all system components, including help screen content and documentation elements.