CVE-2017-10040 in WebCenter Content
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Content component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Content Server). Supported versions that are affected are 11.1.1.9.0 and 12.2.1.1.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebCenter Content. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle WebCenter Content, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle WebCenter Content accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebCenter Content 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:L/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10040 resides within Oracle WebCenter Content, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware that serves as a comprehensive content management platform. This specific flaw affects two major version lines including 11.1.1.9.0 and 12.2.1.1.0, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these Oracle Fusion Middleware versions across enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring specialized skills or extensive preparation, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on this content management infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the Content Server subcomponent of Oracle WebCenter Content. Attackers can exploit this weakness through HTTP network connections without requiring any prior authentication credentials, representing a critical design flaw in the access control architecture. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability at 8.2 out of 10, reflecting the high severity of potential impacts including confidentiality and integrity breaches. The vulnerability's attack vector requires network access via HTTP and has a low complexity requirement, meaning that exploitation can be accomplished with minimal technical expertise. The fact that human interaction is required for successful exploitation suggests that the vulnerability may involve social engineering elements or require specific user actions to complete the attack process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate compromise of Oracle WebCenter Content data. The attack can result in unauthorized modification, deletion, or creation of critical content, potentially leading to complete data corruption or loss. Additionally, attackers can gain unauthorized read access to sensitive information within the system, potentially exposing confidential business documents, intellectual property, or proprietary content. The CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can significantly impact additional products, suggesting that the compromised system may serve as a foothold for broader attacks within the enterprise network. This interconnected impact aligns with ATT&CK framework concepts related to privilege escalation and lateral movement, where initial access to one system can enable further infiltration of adjacent systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Content Server, and configuring robust firewall rules to restrict HTTP access. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 287 (Improper Authentication) emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the authentication mechanism that allows unauthorized access. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns and establish comprehensive monitoring of content server activities. The requirement for human interaction in successful exploitation suggests that user education and awareness programs should be implemented to prevent social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all systems that rely on vulnerable Oracle WebCenter Content versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.