CVE-2017-10248 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: EPPCM_HIER_TOP). The supported version that is affected is 9.1.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2021
The CVE-2017-10248 vulnerability resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub, specifically in the EPPCM_HIER_TOP subcomponent of PeopleSoft Products version 9.1.0. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates the inherent risks associated with enterprise application frameworks where components interact across complex business processes. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage relatively straightforward attack vectors without requiring specialized skills or extensive reconnaissance. The affected system operates within a typical enterprise environment where PeopleSoft serves as a foundational platform for human resources and business process management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for core operational functions.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through an insufficient access control mechanism within the PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub component. Attackers can exploit this weakness by initiating HTTP requests to the vulnerable system without requiring authentication credentials, which directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and authentication. This vulnerability specifically affects the EPPCM_HIER_TOP subcomponent, which handles hierarchical data processing and interaction management within the PeopleSoft framework. The vulnerability's design allows for unauthorized modification of data through update, insert, and delete operations, while simultaneously enabling unauthorized read access to sensitive information. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 6.1 reflects the moderate severity level, with confidentiality and integrity impacts rated as low, though the potential for cascading effects across multiple products within the PeopleSoft ecosystem significantly amplifies the actual risk assessment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate PeopleSoft component, as successful exploitation can result in significant data compromise across interconnected systems. The requirement for human interaction from a person other than the attacker suggests that social engineering or targeted phishing attacks may be necessary to initiate the exploit, though this does not eliminate the automated nature of the underlying vulnerability. The attack vector through HTTP access means that this vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where PeopleSoft systems are exposed to untrusted networks or where insufficient network segmentation exists. Organizations utilizing PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub may face unauthorized modifications to critical business data, including employee records, financial information, or operational hierarchies, potentially leading to business disruption, compliance violations, and financial losses. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that network-based attacks are possible with low attack complexity, no privilege requirements, and that the impact can be significant across multiple products within the enterprise ecosystem.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks within enterprise application frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and data manipulation within application environments, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally through interconnected business systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to PeopleSoft components, deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP traffic, and comprehensive monitoring of access patterns to detect unauthorized activities. Regular patch management processes should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with sensitive components. The broader implications suggest that enterprises should consider implementing zero-trust network architectures and enhanced monitoring capabilities to protect against similar vulnerabilities in complex enterprise application environments, particularly those involving business process management systems that handle sensitive organizational data.