CVE-2017-10034 in BI Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Core Formatting API). Supported versions that are affected are 11.1.1.7.0 and 11.1.1.9.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle BI Publisher. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle BI Publisher, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle BI Publisher accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle BI Publisher accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.2 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10034 resides within the Oracle BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware, specifically within the Core Formatting API subcomponent. This flaw affects Oracle Fusion Middleware versions 11.1.1.7.0 and 11.1.1.9.0, representing a critical security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers with network access via HTTP protocols. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such systems are often accessible over networks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Core Formatting API, which allows malicious users to craft specially formatted requests that can manipulate the underlying data processing mechanisms. This weakness enables attackers to bypass authentication requirements and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the Oracle BI Publisher environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate component, as successful exploitation can affect additional Oracle products that integrate with BI Publisher, creating cascading security implications throughout the enterprise infrastructure. The CVSS 3.0 score of 8.2 reflects the high severity of this flaw, with confidentiality and integrity impacts rated as high, indicating that attackers can potentially access critical data or modify system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it can lead to unauthorized access to all Oracle BI Publisher accessible data, including sensitive business intelligence reports, financial data, and operational metrics. Attackers with successful exploitation can achieve complete access to the system's data repository, potentially compromising business continuity and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the vulnerability allows unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data, which can result in data corruption or manipulation that may go undetected for extended periods. The requirement for human interaction from a person other than the attacker suggests that the exploitation may involve social engineering elements or require specific user actions to complete the attack vector, though the initial access remains unauthenticated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10034 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Fusion Middleware versions with the official security updates provided by Oracle. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to Oracle BI Publisher systems, particularly restricting HTTP access to authorized personnel only. The deployment of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable Core Formatting API. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and regular security audits of BI Publisher configurations will help identify and remediate potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and data exposure tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management.