CVE-2017-10208 in Hospitality e7
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality e7 component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Other). The supported version that is affected is 4.2.1. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via SMTP to compromise Oracle Hospitality e7. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Hospitality e7 accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.3 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10208 affects the Oracle Hospitality e7 component within Oracle Hospitality Applications, specifically targeting version 4.2.1. This represents a significant security weakness in hospitality management software that serves numerous hotels and hospitality establishments worldwide. The affected subcomponent is categorized as "Other" within the broader Oracle Hospitality ecosystem, indicating it likely handles core operational functions that are critical to business continuity. The vulnerability resides in the SMTP protocol handling mechanism, which is commonly used for email communication and system notifications within hospitality environments where automated alerts and reporting are essential for operations management.
This vulnerability manifests as an easily exploitable flaw that requires minimal technical expertise to leverage, making it particularly dangerous in production environments. The attack vector specifically utilizes network access via SMTP protocols, allowing even low-privileged attackers to potentially compromise the system. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 4.3, categorized as a medium severity issue, though the low attack complexity and network accessibility make it highly concerning. The vulnerability's classification as requiring only low privileges for exploitation aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses, specifically targeting improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized information disclosure. The attack requires no user interaction and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain open network connections for their hospitality systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Hospitality e7 accessible data. This subset likely includes critical operational information such as guest records, reservation details, payment information, and other sensitive data that hospitality businesses must protect. The confidentiality impact is rated as low, but the potential for cascading effects within hospitality environments can be substantial, as compromised data may reveal patterns of guest behavior, occupancy rates, or other operational details that could be valuable to malicious actors. Organizations using this software may face regulatory compliance issues under data protection laws, particularly if guest information is exposed. The vulnerability's impact on business continuity is significant, as hospitality operations rely heavily on secure and reliable data management systems, and any compromise could affect customer trust and operational efficiency.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate SMTP services, implementing strict access controls for SMTP protocols, and applying the vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocols, specifically targeting email protocols. Additional security measures should include monitoring network traffic for unusual SMTP activity, implementing network access controls, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure operational stability, as hospitality systems often require careful handling to maintain business continuity. Regular security audits and staff training on recognizing potential exploitation attempts should also be implemented to strengthen overall defensive posture against similar vulnerabilities.