CVE-2018-2951 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Configuration Manager). Supported versions that are affected are 8.55 and 8.56. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with logon to the infrastructure where PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools executes to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.2 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The CVE-2018-2951 vulnerability resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically in the Configuration Manager subcomponent affecting versions 8.55 and 8.56. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that operates at the infrastructure level, requiring only local access to the target system for exploitation. The vulnerability classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this weakness to gain substantial access rights. According to the CVSS 3.0 scoring system, this vulnerability carries a base score of 6.2, with the primary impact focused on confidentiality, though the attack vector requires local access with no authentication requirements. The attack complexity is rated as low, suggesting that exploitation does not require specialized skills or tools beyond basic system access. The vulnerability's impact extends to complete access to all data accessible through PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this platform for business-critical operations.
The technical flaw in CVE-2018-2951 stems from insufficient access controls within the Configuration Manager component, which allows unauthorized local users to bypass normal authentication mechanisms. This weakness enables attackers who already have system-level access to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the PeopleSoft environment. The vulnerability's design flaw likely involves improper validation of user credentials or insufficient authorization checks during configuration management operations. The Configuration Manager component typically handles critical system configurations and data access controls, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire PeopleSoft platform. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, where inadequate privilege management allows unauthorized access to restricted resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2951 extends far beyond simple data exposure, as successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools environment. Organizations utilizing affected versions face the risk of unauthorized access to critical business data, including financial records, employee information, and operational configurations that could be used to further compromise the enterprise network. The vulnerability's potential for data exfiltration and system manipulation could lead to significant financial losses, regulatory violations, and operational disruption. The lack of user interaction requirements and the need for only local access make this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with shared or multi-tenant environments where local access might be more readily available to unauthorized parties. The confidentiality impact rating of high indicates that attackers could access sensitive information without detection, potentially leading to long-term data compromise and regulatory compliance issues.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that focus on network segmentation and access control enforcement to prevent local privilege escalation attacks. The primary defense strategy involves restricting local system access to only authorized personnel and implementing robust monitoring of local system activities. Patch management should be prioritized, with immediate deployment of Oracle's security patches addressing this vulnerability in affected versions 8.55 and 8.56. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their PeopleSoft environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish enhanced logging for configuration management activities. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' suggesting that attackers might use this vulnerability as part of broader exploitation chains. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments to prevent unauthorized access to critical system components. The CVSS vector indicates that while the attack requires local access, the potential impact on data confidentiality makes this vulnerability a critical priority for immediate remediation across all affected systems.