CVE-2017-3235 in FLEXCUBE Universal Banking
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Supported versions that are affected are 11.3.0, 11.4.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2, 12.0.3, 12.1.0 and 12.2.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows physical access to compromise Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking accessible data. CVSS v3.0 Base Score 3.5 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3235 resides within Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking, a critical financial services application that serves as the core banking platform for numerous institutions worldwide. This vulnerability specifically affects the Core subcomponent of Oracle Financial Services Applications and impacts multiple version releases including 11.3.0, 11.4.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2, 12.0.3, 12.1.0, and 12.2.0. The flaw represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited through physical access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for organizations that may not adequately secure their physical infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with physical access can potentially compromise the entire banking platform without requiring sophisticated techniques or extensive reconnaissance.
This security flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking system by enabling unauthorized modifications to critical data structures. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, and delete operations on specific portions of the database, while simultaneously providing read access to sensitive information within the system. The CVSS v3.0 base score of 3.5 reflects the moderate severity of the impact, though the actual damage can be substantial given the nature of banking data and the potential for financial fraud. The attack vector requiring only physical access makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional network-based security controls and can be exploited by insiders or individuals who have gained physical access to server rooms or workstations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3235 extends far beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it directly affects the fundamental trust and security posture of financial institutions using Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking. Organizations that fail to address this vulnerability risk unauthorized financial transactions, data manipulation, and potential theft of sensitive customer information. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker with physical access to the system who can exploit the flaw to modify transaction records, alter customer data, or create fraudulent entries within the banking platform. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principles of data integrity and confidentiality as defined by cybersecurity frameworks and can lead to substantial financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust physical security controls and access management procedures. Organizations must ensure that physical access to critical systems is strictly controlled through proper identification and authentication mechanisms, including biometric scanners, key card systems, and surveillance monitoring. The implementation of comprehensive network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact even if physical security measures are compromised. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the system architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and audit trails to detect unauthorized modifications to critical banking data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both physical and logical access points within financial systems.