CVE-2018-2934 in Application Object Library
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Attachments / File Upload). The supported version that is affected is 12.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Application Object Library. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle Application Object Library accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.3 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2934 resides within the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite, specifically affecting the Attachments/File Upload subcomponent in version 12.1.3. This represents a critical security gap that exposes organizations to unauthorized data manipulation risks. The vulnerability operates within the broader context of enterprise application security where file handling mechanisms often serve as primary attack vectors due to their inherent complexity and the sensitive nature of uploaded content. The affected Oracle E-Business Suite version 12.1.3 represents a legacy system that continues to be deployed in enterprise environments despite being vulnerable to known exploits.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient access control mechanism within the file upload functionality that permits unauthenticated users to perform unauthorized operations against the Application Object Library. This vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user credentials and session management during file attachment processes, allowing malicious actors to bypass authentication requirements through simple HTTP network requests. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway where attackers can manipulate data within the system without proper authorization, leveraging the HTTP protocol to access protected resources. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) where attackers exploit weak access controls to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially compromise the entire data ecosystem managed by the Oracle Application Object Library. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on sensitive data within the application's accessible database components. While the CVSS score of 5.3 indicates a moderate severity level, the implications for enterprise security are significant as this vulnerability can lead to data corruption, unauthorized modifications, and potential information disclosure. The lack of user interface requirements and network-based attack vector means that this vulnerability can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring any prior authentication or specialized tools. Organizations running this vulnerable version face substantial risk of data manipulation attacks that could affect financial records, customer information, or operational data critical to business processes.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches released as part of their quarterly updates, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable application components, and configuring proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms. The recommended approach involves disabling unnecessary file upload functionality where possible, implementing strict file type validation, and establishing comprehensive audit logging for all file operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file upload attempts, and conduct thorough security assessments to identify any additional vulnerabilities within their Oracle E-Business Suite deployments. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following Oracle's recommended security practices for enterprise application management. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address this type of data manipulation vulnerability.