CVE-2016-0478 in Enterprise Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Application Testing Suite component in Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control 12.4.0.2 and 12.5.0.2 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to Load Testing for Web Apps, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0476 and CVE-2016-0477. NOTE: the previous information is from the January 2016 CPU. Oracle has not commented on third-party claims that this is a directory traversal vulnerability in the DownloadServlet servlet, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the scriptName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0478 affects the Oracle Application Testing Suite component within Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control versions 12.4.0.2 and 12.5.0.2. This issue represents a security flaw in the Load Testing for Web Apps functionality that enables remote attackers to compromise confidentiality through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically relates to the DownloadServlet servlet and has been categorized as a directory traversal vulnerability, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the system. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability differs from the related CVE-2016-0476 and CVE-2016-0477 vulnerabilities, indicating distinct attack surfaces and exploitation methods within the same product line. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities that permit attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure through manipulation of input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the DownloadServlet servlet where the scriptName parameter is processed without adequate validation or sanitization. When attackers provide directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the scriptName parameter, the application fails to properly validate these inputs, allowing the attacker to navigate through the file system and access files that should be restricted. This flaw enables attackers to read arbitrary files from the server, potentially including configuration files, source code, or sensitive data stored on the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the affected service. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it can lead to complete compromise of the application's data confidentiality and potentially provide attackers with information needed for further exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0478 extends beyond simple data theft, as the ability to read arbitrary files can provide attackers with critical system information that may be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Attackers can potentially access database connection strings, application configuration files, and other sensitive artifacts that could be leveraged to compromise additional systems. The vulnerability's presence in Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control makes it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on this platform for application testing and monitoring activities. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions of the product means that a significant number of enterprise environments may be at risk, especially those that have not applied the relevant security patches. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Oracle security patches released as part of the January 2016 Critical Patch Update. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the affected servlet and reduce the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious directory traversal patterns in web application logs should be enabled to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent malicious directory traversal sequences from reaching the vulnerable servlet. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control platform, as this vulnerability demonstrates the potential for multiple related flaws within the same software ecosystem.