CVE-2016-0401 in BI Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.7.0 and 11.1.1.9.0 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Scheduler, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0429.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0401 resides within Oracle BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware, specifically affecting versions 11.1.1.7.0 and 11.1.1.9.0. This represents a significant security weakness in enterprise reporting and data visualization software that forms part of Oracle's comprehensive middleware suite. The vulnerability is classified as an integrity-related issue, meaning that malicious actors could potentially compromise the consistency and reliability of data processed through the BI Publisher scheduler functionality. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2016-0429, this flaw operates through distinct attack vectors that specifically target the scheduler component of the application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that allow remote exploitation, indicating that attackers can leverage this weakness from external network positions without requiring local system access. The scheduler component within Oracle BI Publisher is responsible for managing automated report generation and distribution processes, making it a critical element for enterprise operations. When compromised, this component could enable attackers to modify scheduled reports, alter execution parameters, or manipulate the timing and delivery of business intelligence data. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple potential exploitation pathways including but not limited to input validation flaws, improper access controls, or insecure configuration settings within the scheduler's processing logic.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses severe risks to enterprise data integrity and business continuity. Organizations relying on automated reporting schedules could face significant impacts when attackers manipulate scheduled reports to deliver false information or disrupt critical business processes. The potential for data manipulation extends beyond simple report alteration to include more sophisticated attacks such as injecting malicious content into scheduled outputs or redirecting report distributions to unauthorized recipients. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, potentially affecting organizations across multiple geographic regions and time zones. This vulnerability particularly impacts businesses that depend on automated reporting for compliance, financial reporting, or operational decision-making processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0401 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Fusion Middleware installations to the latest security updates provided by Oracle. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to Oracle BI Publisher components and establish strict firewall rules that restrict external access to scheduler-related ports and services. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel can modify scheduler configurations or access sensitive report data. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual scheduling activities or unauthorized modifications to report parameters. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their Oracle Fusion Middleware environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may involve elements of CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) depending on the specific attack vector. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could map to techniques involving privilege escalation, persistence, and data manipulation, particularly through the use of scheduled tasks as attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level controls and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against the BI Publisher scheduler functionality.