CVE-2016-0486 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 Test Manager for Web Apps, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0480, CVE-2016-0481, CVE-2016-0482, and CVE-2016-0485. 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 exportFileName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0486 represents a security flaw within Oracle Application Testing Suite's Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control components, specifically affecting versions 12.4.0.2 and 12.5.0.2. This issue resides within the Test Manager for Web Apps functionality and constitutes a remote attack vector that compromises data confidentiality. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified in the initial description indicates that Oracle had not yet fully disclosed the precise technical nature of the flaw, though subsequent analysis has revealed it to be a directory traversal vulnerability within the DownloadServlet servlet. This particular weakness allows malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted requests targeting the exportFileName parameter, thereby enabling unauthorized access to sensitive files across the system's file structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the DownloadServlet component of the Oracle Application Testing Suite. When processing requests containing the exportFileName parameter, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ constructs. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines Directory Traversal vulnerabilities as conditions where input data is not properly validated before being used in file system operations, allowing attackers to access files outside of the intended directory scope. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control serves as a central management platform for critical applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0486 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive configuration files, application source code, database credentials, and other confidential information stored within the system's file structure. Given that this vulnerability affects Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control, which typically manages and monitors enterprise applications, successful exploitation could provide attackers with comprehensive insights into the organization's IT infrastructure, potentially leading to further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's relationship to the broader Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) of January 2016 indicates that it was part of a coordinated set of flaws affecting multiple components within Oracle's product portfolio, highlighting the systemic nature of the security challenges faced by organizations using Oracle solutions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Update, which would contain the necessary patches to address the directory traversal flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the vulnerable servlet to trusted networks only, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in requests containing directory traversal sequences. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as exploitation would likely involve reconnaissance activities to identify accessible files and directories. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and conducting regular security assessments of Oracle Enterprise Manager installations would help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, particularly given the prevalence of directory traversal flaws in enterprise web applications and the common nature of such vulnerabilities in application testing suites that handle file operations.