CVE-2017-3543 in WebCenter Sites
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Sites component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Server). Supported versions that are affected are 11.1.1.8.0, 12.2.1.0.0, 12.2.1.1.0 and 12.2.1.2.0. Easily "exploitable" vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebCenter Sites. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle WebCenter Sites accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle WebCenter Sites accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle WebCenter Sites. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.6 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L).
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3543 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle WebCenter Sites, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware that serves as a comprehensive web content management platform. This vulnerability specifically affects the Server subcomponent and impacts multiple supported versions including 11.1.1.8.0, 12.2.1.0.0, 12.2.1.1.0, and 12.2.1.2.0, making it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining legacy systems. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring specialized skills or privileged access, significantly amplifying its threat potential.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the WebCenter Sites server component, allowing unauthenticated attackers to establish network connections via HTTP protocols. This flaw creates an unauthorized access pathway that bypasses normal security controls, enabling attackers to compromise the entire WebCenter Sites environment. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple security domains including confidentiality, integrity, and availability as indicated by the CVSS 3.0 score of 8.6. Attackers can potentially access critical data, modify or delete content, and disrupt service availability, making this a comprehensive threat vector.
From an operational perspective, the consequences of successful exploitation can be devastating for organizations relying on WebCenter Sites for content management and digital publishing operations. The ability to achieve complete access to all accessible data means that attackers could potentially steal sensitive corporate information, intellectual property, or customer data. Additionally, the unauthorized update, insert, or delete capabilities allow for data corruption and manipulation, while the partial denial of service component can disrupt business operations and content delivery. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L) clearly demonstrates the low access complexity and high impact potential, as attackers need only network access to exploit this vulnerability without requiring privileged credentials or user interaction.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by applying Oracle's security patches and updates to affected versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques including T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) for threat modeling purposes. Given the CVSS score and the potential for complete system compromise, this vulnerability should be treated as a high-priority security concern requiring immediate attention from security teams and system administrators.