CVE-2018-2681 in PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Security). The supported version that is affected is 9.2. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2681 resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources component, specifically affecting the Security subcomponent in version 9.2. This represents a significant security weakness that demonstrates a critical flaw in the application's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and enterprise human resources management systems, where the attack surface includes HTTP network interfaces that are commonly exposed to external threat actors. The flaw manifests as an insufficient authorization check that permits unauthorized access to sensitive data and operations within the PeopleSoft environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a low-privileged attacker leveraging network access via HTTP protocols to gain unauthorized access to PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources data. This attack vector specifically targets the security controls that should enforce proper access rights and authorization levels. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed against systems with standard network connectivity. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass intended access controls that should restrict data modification operations to authorized personnel only. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to enterprise security architectures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it enables unauthorized update, insert, and delete operations on sensitive HR data. Attackers can manipulate employee records, compensation information, and other critical human resources data, potentially causing significant business disruption and compliance violations. The confidentiality impact is equally concerning as the vulnerability allows unauthorized read access to a subset of accessible data, potentially exposing sensitive personal and financial information of employees. This dual impact on both integrity and confidentiality creates a substantial risk profile that could lead to data breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for affected organizations. The CVSS 3.0 score of 5.4 reflects the moderate severity of this vulnerability while acknowledging its potential for significant business impact.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-2681 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates to address the authorization flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of PeopleSoft applications to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) where attackers exploit legitimate access to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized data access. Regular security assessments and monitoring of PeopleSoft applications should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their access control policies and ensure proper user provisioning and deprovisioning processes are in place to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in business functionality while maintaining the integrity of the HR data management system.