CVE-2016-3545 in Application Object Library
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library component in Oracle E-Business Suite 12.1.3, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, and 12.2.5 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to Web based help screens.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3545 resides within the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite, affecting versions 12.1.3, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, and 12.2.5. This issue represents a security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise the confidentiality of sensitive information through web-based help screens. The Oracle Application Object Library serves as a foundational framework for the E-Business Suite, providing core application objects and services that support various business functions including financials, procurement, and human resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the web-based help functionality that users access while navigating through the application, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without requiring authentication or physical access to the system. This weakness falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can potentially expose sensitive business data, financial records, and operational information to unauthorized parties.
The technical flaw within the Oracle Application Object Library component stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the web-based help screens. Attackers can manipulate the help system to access restricted content, potentially retrieving sensitive data that should only be available to authorized personnel with appropriate clearance levels. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can provide attackers with detailed insights into the application's internal structure, business processes, and data relationships. The web-based help screens typically contain documentation, user guides, and system information that, when improperly protected, can reveal implementation details, internal data structures, and business logic that would otherwise remain confidential. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browsers without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge of the underlying system architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3545 is significant for organizations running affected Oracle E-Business Suite versions, as it creates a persistent risk for data breaches and information disclosure incidents. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to financial reports, employee records, supplier information, and other sensitive business data through the compromised help system. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially access this information from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing web applications or those that do not properly segment their network infrastructure. The confidentiality breach could lead to competitive disadvantages, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. Additionally, the vulnerability may serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the leaked information could be used to plan targeted attacks against other system components or to identify additional vulnerabilities within the broader Oracle E-Business Suite environment.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Oracle security patches released for this vulnerability, which typically include code modifications to strengthen input validation and access controls within the web-based help screens. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the Oracle E-Business Suite applications, particularly the help system components, through firewalls and access control lists. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be conducted to detect any suspicious activity related to help system access attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that users only have access to help content appropriate for their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter traffic to the help system components, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify any similar weaknesses in other application components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information disclosure vulnerabilities, and may be relevant to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and reconnaissance activities that target application-level weaknesses.