CVE-2018-2711 in JDeveloper
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle JDeveloper component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Security Framework). Supported versions that are affected are 11.1.1.2.4, 11.1.1.7.0, 11.1.1.7.1, 11.1.1.9.0 and 12.1.3.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle JDeveloper. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle JDeveloper, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle JDeveloper accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle JDeveloper accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.2 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2711 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle JDeveloper's Security Framework component of the Fusion Middleware suite. This vulnerability affects multiple version streams including 11.1.1.2.4, 11.1.1.7.0, 11.1.1.7.1, 11.1.1.9.0, and 12.1.3.0.0, making it a widespread concern across Oracle's JDeveloper product line. The flaw resides in the security framework's handling of HTTP requests, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized access to sensitive components. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the JDeveloper security framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unauthenticated HTTP network access, bypassing traditional authentication requirements that should normally protect sensitive data and system functions. The attack vector specifically targets the HTTP protocol, suggesting that the vulnerability exists in how the application processes incoming web requests without proper authorization checks. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and may also relate to CWE-312 which covers exposure of sensitive data through partial exposure. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 8.2 indicates high severity with significant impacts to both confidentiality and integrity, while the attack complexity is rated as low, meaning that even non-technical attackers can potentially exploit this weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2711 extends beyond the immediate JDeveloper environment and can affect broader Oracle Fusion Middleware ecosystems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical data stored within JDeveloper, potentially compromising sensitive source code, configuration files, and development artifacts. The vulnerability's ability to grant complete access to all JDeveloper accessible data represents a severe risk to intellectual property and development integrity. Additionally, attackers can perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on certain data, enabling data corruption and modification attacks that can disrupt development processes and compromise system integrity. The CVSS vector indicates that while human interaction is required, the attack can significantly impact additional products, suggesting potential lateral movement capabilities within enterprise networks where JDeveloper is deployed.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying Oracle's official security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary HTTP access to JDeveloper instances, particularly in production environments where the vulnerability could be exploited. Access controls should be strengthened through proper authentication mechanisms and monitoring of HTTP traffic to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and potentially T1078 for Valid Accounts, as exploitation typically requires legitimate network access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure areas, while security monitoring solutions should be configured to alert on suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the vulnerability's impact on both confidentiality and integrity, comprehensive incident response plans should be established to address potential breaches and ensure rapid containment and remediation of affected systems.