CVE-2017-10259 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Access Manager component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Web Server Plugin). The supported version that is affected is 11.1.2.3.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Access Manager. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle Access Manager accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10259 resides within Oracle Access Manager's Web Server Plugin component of Oracle Fusion Middleware, specifically affecting version 11.1.2.3.0. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the access control mechanisms within Oracle's enterprise identity and access management infrastructure. The vulnerability operates at the web server plugin layer, which serves as a crucial bridge between the web server and Oracle Access Manager's authentication and authorization services, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to protected enterprise resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the Web Server Plugin module. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted HTTP requests directly to the affected Oracle Access Manager instance without requiring any prior authentication credentials. This unauthenticated exploitation capability significantly reduces the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with network access to the target system. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass the normal authentication processes that should protect sensitive data and access controls within the Oracle Access Manager environment, creating a direct pathway to compromise the entire access management infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete compromise of all data accessible through Oracle Access Manager. Organizations utilizing this vulnerable version face the risk of exposure to critical corporate data, user credentials, and sensitive business information that should remain protected by the access control mechanisms. The CVSS 3.0 score of 7.5 reflects the high severity of this flaw, with the confidentiality impact rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could result in extensive data breaches. The vulnerability's accessibility via network connections without requiring privileged access makes it particularly attractive to threat actors, as it eliminates the need for initial compromise or credential theft before gaining access to the target system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest supported versions of Oracle Access Manager, which addresses this vulnerability through improved input validation and authentication controls. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1110 which involves credential access through exploitation of authentication vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other Oracle products and components within the enterprise infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring practices within enterprise environments. Organizations should establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. System administrators must also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this type of authentication bypass vulnerability.