CVE-2018-2990 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Integration Broker). Supported versions that are affected are 8.55 and 8.56. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data as well as unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2990 resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically within the Integration Broker subcomponent that facilitates communication between different systems and applications. This particular weakness affects versions 8.55 and 8.56 of the PeopleTools suite, representing a significant security gap in enterprise integration capabilities. The vulnerability manifests as a critical flaw in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to sensitive enterprise data and system functions. The affected component serves as a crucial bridge for data exchange within PeopleSoft environments, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit enterprise integration points. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires some level of technical expertise and network access, the attack surface remains sufficiently broad to pose a substantial risk to organizations utilizing these specific versions of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the Integration Broker functionality, which allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass normal security protocols. The flaw specifically impacts the HTTP protocol handling within the integration broker, enabling attackers to send malicious requests that can manipulate system behavior without requiring valid credentials. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized modifications to data and system configurations, effectively granting them the ability to alter or delete critical enterprise information. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 7.4 reflects the high potential impact on both confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems, with the attack vector requiring only network access and the attack complexity being high but achievable. The lack of requirement for user interaction or privilege escalation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers without needing to establish a privileged position within the organization's network.
The operational impact of successful exploitation of CVE-2018-2990 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as attackers can gain complete access to all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data and potentially modify critical system configurations. This vulnerability essentially allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should only be available to authorized administrators, creating potential for significant business disruption and data loss. Organizations utilizing affected versions may experience unauthorized data modification, deletion of critical records, and potential exposure of sensitive enterprise information that could include financial data, employee records, or proprietary business information. The attack scenario involves an unauthenticated network-based attacker who can leverage this vulnerability to gain access to enterprise data repositories, potentially leading to corporate espionage, financial fraud, or operational disruption that could affect business continuity. The implications of such a vulnerability extend to regulatory compliance requirements, as organizations may face penalties for failing to protect sensitive data through inadequate security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit direct network access to PeopleSoft Integration Broker components, particularly when exposed to untrusted networks. The implementation of additional authentication layers, such as API gateways or reverse proxies with enhanced security controls, can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of access to Integration Broker functionality, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise integration components. From a compliance perspective, organizations should consider implementing the security controls recommended by frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards, which emphasize the importance of maintaining secure system configurations and implementing robust access controls. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regularly reviewing access permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access critical integration points within their PeopleSoft environments, addressing the CWE categories related to insufficient authentication and insecure data handling practices.