CVE-2018-2595 in Hyperion BI+
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Hyperion BI+ component of Oracle Hyperion (subcomponent: Foundation UI & Servlets). The supported version that is affected is 11.1.2.4. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Hyperion BI+. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Hyperion BI+ accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Hyperion BI+ accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Hyperion BI+. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.3 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2595 resides within Oracle Hyperion Business Intelligence Plus component, specifically affecting the Foundation UI and Servlets subcomponents. This issue represents a significant security weakness that targets the core infrastructure of enterprise business intelligence platforms. The affected version 11.1.2.4 demonstrates the typical challenges organizations face when legacy systems contain unaddressed security flaws that persist across multiple release cycles. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers require minimal technical expertise to leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on business intelligence dashboards and reporting systems.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient access controls and authentication mechanisms within the Hyperion BI+ foundation components. Attackers with high privileges and network access via HTTP can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive business data. The requirement for human interaction from someone other than the attacker suggests that social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns may be necessary to initially compromise a user's session or credentials. This human factor element significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability more challenging to defend against through technical controls alone. The vulnerability operates within the context of web-based applications where user sessions are established and maintained through HTTP protocols, creating potential entry points for malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access issues, encompassing multiple security dimensions that affect the overall integrity and availability of business intelligence systems. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized modification of critical business data, potentially leading to financial losses, competitive disadvantages, and regulatory compliance violations. The ability to perform unauthorized insert, update, or delete operations against Hyperion BI+ accessible data creates opportunities for data manipulation that could affect decision-making processes across organizations. Additionally, the unauthorized read access to subset data means that attackers can gather intelligence about business operations, financial performance, or strategic initiatives without detection. The partial denial of service capability further compounds the threat by potentially disrupting business operations and user access to critical reporting systems.
Organizations must implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of Hyperion BI+ components to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify potential exploitation pathways before malicious actors discover them. The implementation of web application firewalls and enhanced monitoring of HTTP traffic can provide early detection of suspicious activities targeting these components. Security patches and updates should be applied promptly when available, though organizations may need to conduct thorough testing before deployment to ensure system stability. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 4.3 indicates a moderate severity level that requires immediate attention, particularly for organizations handling sensitive business data or operating in regulated environments where data integrity and availability are paramount.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-311 (Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data) categories, reflecting fundamental security design flaws that persist in enterprise applications. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability correspond to techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) tactics. The requirement for human interaction places this vulnerability in the context of social engineering attacks and insider threats, making it particularly challenging to defend against through automated security controls alone. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and enhanced session management controls to reduce the risk of unauthorized access through compromised user credentials. Regular security awareness training for end users becomes critical in preventing exploitation through social engineering vectors that may be leveraged in conjunction with this technical vulnerability.