CVE-2017-3299 in PeopleSoft
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PIA Search Functionality). Supported versions that are affected are 8.54 and 8.55. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, 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 PeopleTools accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS v3.0 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3299 resides within the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component, specifically within the PIA Search Functionality subcomponent of Oracle PeopleSoft Products. This security flaw affects versions 8.54 and 8.55 of the software, representing a significant concern for organizations utilizing these enterprise applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents an easily exploitable threat that can be initiated by unauthenticated attackers possessing network access through HTTP protocols. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed without prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where PeopleSoft applications handle sensitive business data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the search functionality of the PeopleTools component. When users interact with the PIA Search Functionality, the system fails to properly validate user inputs, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate search parameters and gain unauthorized access to underlying data structures. This flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category of CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which represents a fundamental security weakness where systems fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate PeopleTools component as it can compromise additional products within the PeopleSoft ecosystem, demonstrating the interconnected nature of enterprise applications and their shared security concerns.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2017-3299 can result in substantial data compromise across PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools environments. Attackers can achieve unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against specific data sets within the application, potentially altering critical business information and disrupting normal operations. Additionally, the vulnerability enables unauthorized read access to a subset of accessible data, allowing malicious actors to extract sensitive information that could include personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.1 indicates a medium severity vulnerability that combines both confidentiality and integrity impacts, reflecting the potential for significant business disruption and data loss. The requirement for human interaction from individuals other than the attacker suggests that social engineering or targeted phishing attacks may be necessary to initially compromise the system, though the underlying vulnerability itself remains easily exploitable once access is obtained.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates released for PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools versions 8.54 and 8.55. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected components to unauthorized users. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and block suspicious search functionality requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for personnel who interact with PeopleSoft applications should emphasize the importance of verifying search results and being vigilant about unusual system behavior. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any additional components that may be vulnerable to similar attacks, as this vulnerability demonstrates the potential for cascading security issues within complex enterprise application environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive network monitoring and application security controls to prevent exploitation of such weaknesses.