CVE-2017-3234 in Automatic Service Request
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Automatic Service Request (ASR) component of Oracle Support Tools (subcomponent: ASR Manager). The supported version that is affected is Prior to 5.7. Easily "exploitable" vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via SFT to compromise Automatic Service Request (ASR). Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Automatic Service Request (ASR). CVSS 3.0 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3234 resides within Oracle Support Tools' Automatic Service Request (ASR) component, specifically within the ASR Manager subcomponent. This represents a critical security flaw affecting all versions prior to 5.7, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of Oracle support infrastructure across enterprise environments. The vulnerability operates at the network level and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain access to the Secure File Transfer (SFT) protocol interface, which serves as the primary communication channel for ASR operations.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient authentication and authorization controls within the ASR Manager module, allowing malicious actors to perform unauthorized operations against the Automatic Service Request functionality. The CVSS 3.0 score of 9.8 reflects the severity of the impact across all three core security principles - confidentiality, integrity, and availability - indicating that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers require minimal technical expertise or resources to execute successful attacks, while the network access requirement suggests that the attack vector does not require physical presence or privileged access within the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to full takeover of the Automatic Service Request functionality, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate critical support processes, access sensitive system information, or disrupt business operations that depend on Oracle support infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and represents a significant risk to enterprise security posture, particularly in environments where Oracle support systems are integrated with critical business applications. The potential for attackers to leverage this vulnerability for further lateral movement within networks or to establish persistent access makes it particularly dangerous from a threat actor perspective.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the official Oracle patch releases for versions 5.7 and later, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to ASR components, and monitoring for suspicious network activity related to SFT communications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, as attackers could potentially use the compromised ASR functionality to maintain long-term access to target systems. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized ASR communications and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing ASR-related compromises. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar unauthenticated access patterns within their Oracle support infrastructure deployments.