CVE-2016-5495 in Discoverer
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Discoverer component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.7.0 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to EUL Code & Schema.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5495 resides within Oracle Discoverer, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware version 11.1.1.7.0, representing a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise data confidentiality. This unspecified vulnerability specifically manifests through vectors associated with EUL Code and Schema elements, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the system handles enterprise user license code processing and schema management within the discoverer framework. The issue demonstrates the inherent risks present when complex middleware components fail to properly validate or sanitize inputs related to user licensing and database schema operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and potential code execution flaws within the EUL processing mechanisms. When Oracle Discoverer handles user license information and schema definitions, it appears to lack sufficient validation measures that would prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data structures. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the EUL code and schema components in ways that could lead to information disclosure, as the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize operations that should be restricted to privileged users. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network exposure is common.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5495 extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to enterprise data repositories and sensitive business intelligence. Organizations utilizing Oracle Discoverer for business analytics and reporting may find their proprietary data at risk, as the vulnerability could allow unauthorized users to extract information from database schemas that should remain protected. This represents a significant concern for enterprises that rely heavily on discoverer for decision-making processes, as compromised schema information could lead to competitive disadvantages, regulatory violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's presence in Fusion Middleware 11.1.1.7.0 suggests that organizations using this specific version may be exposed to attacks targeting their business intelligence infrastructure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns targeting enterprise middleware systems, particularly those involving privilege escalation and data exfiltration techniques. The weakness aligns with common attack vectors described in the attack technique framework where adversaries exploit software flaws to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Oracle's security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to discoverer components, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any additional exposures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and ensuring that enterprise applications receive timely updates to address known security weaknesses. This case demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of middleware components and proper access control implementations in enterprise environments where business intelligence systems process sensitive organizational data.