CVE-2016-0698 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component in Oracle PeopleSoft Products 8.53, 8.54, and 8.55 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity via vectors related to Rich Text Editor, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3423.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-0698 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component affecting versions 8.53, 8.54, and 8.55. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability type that specifically targets the Rich Text Editor functionality within the PeopleTools framework. The vulnerability is classified as remote and authenticated, meaning that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit this weakness, but once exploited, the attack can be executed from a remote location without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. The affected PeopleSoft products encompass a broad range of enterprise applications that organizations rely upon for business process automation and data management.
The technical flaw manifests within the Rich Text Editor component which is commonly used for creating and editing formatted content within PeopleSoft applications. This particular vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the editor's functionality in ways that can compromise both confidentiality and integrity of the system data. The vulnerability differs from CVE-2016-3423, indicating that while both issues relate to the PeopleTools component, they represent distinct attack vectors and exploitation methods. The Rich Text Editor functionality typically handles user-generated content and may process various input formats including HTML, which creates potential attack surfaces for malicious payload injection or data manipulation. This type of vulnerability often stems from inadequate input validation, insufficient sanitization of user-provided content, or improper handling of rich text formatting elements that could be leveraged for cross-site scripting or data corruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0698 extends beyond simple data exposure or modification, as it affects the fundamental security posture of PeopleSoft implementations across enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing affected versions of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools face risks of unauthorized data access, potential data corruption, and compromise of business-critical applications that rely on proper data integrity. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that insider threats or compromised legitimate user accounts pose significant risks, as attackers with valid credentials can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or manipulate system data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that heavily rely on rich text editing capabilities within their PeopleSoft applications, making it a critical concern for enterprises managing large volumes of business data through these platforms. The impact is further amplified when considering that PeopleSoft systems often integrate with other enterprise applications and databases, potentially allowing for lateral movement and extended compromise of organizational infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0698 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, as this represents the most effective solution for addressing the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive access controls and monitor user activities within PeopleSoft environments to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's relationship to Rich Text Editor functionality suggests that input sanitization measures and content filtering should be enhanced across all affected applications. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected PeopleTools versions and ensure proper network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation," and may also relate to CWE-79, "Cross-site Scripting," depending on the specific exploitation method. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could map to techniques involving privilege escalation, data manipulation, and credential access, as attackers might leverage it to gain deeper system access or corrupt business data integrity. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security awareness training for users who interact with PeopleSoft applications to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could lead to credential compromise and subsequent exploitation of this vulnerability.