CVE-2018-2737 in Retail Returns Management
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Returns Management component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: Security). Supported versions that are affected are 2.3.8, 2.4.9, 14.0.4 and 14.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Retail Returns Management. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle Retail Returns Management accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Retail Returns Management accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2737 resides within Oracle Retail Returns Management component, specifically within the Security subcomponent of Oracle Retail Applications. This security flaw affects multiple version lines including 2.3.8, 2.4.9, 14.0.4, and 14.1.3, indicating a widespread exposure across different release branches of the retail management software suite. The vulnerability classification as easily exploitable suggests that attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring specialized skills or extensive preparation, making it particularly dangerous for organizations operating these systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to compromise the Oracle Retail Returns Management system through HTTP network connections, eliminating the need for valid credentials or privileged access. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect sensitive retail data. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 6.5 reflects the severity of impact, with medium scores for both confidentiality and integrity implications, indicating that successful exploitation can result in unauthorized modification of data as well as unauthorized data access. The attack vector AV:N indicates network-based exploitation, while AC:L suggests low complexity for exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access issues, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on specific portions of the retail returns management database. This capability can lead to significant business disruption, including manipulation of return records, alteration of inventory data, and potential financial losses through fraudulent return processing. The unauthorized read access to a subset of accessible data further compounds the risk, as attackers can potentially gather sensitive information about return transactions, customer data, and business operations. The CVSS vector specifically indicates no user interaction requirement and no scope change, meaning the attack can be executed autonomously without user involvement and the compromise remains within the targeted system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through Oracle's security patches and updates, as the vulnerability's ease of exploitation makes it a high-priority target for malicious actors. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving initial access through network services and privilege escalation through data manipulation, making it a critical component in the threat actor's toolkit for targeting retail infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to compliance and regulatory requirements, as unauthorized data modification and access can violate data protection regulations and industry standards such as PCI DSS. Organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to determine the full scope of potential impact and implement layered security controls beyond patching, including intrusion detection systems, web application firewalls, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.