CVE-2018-3102 in Outside In Technology
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). The supported version that is affected is 8.5.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Outside In Technology. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle Outside In Technology accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle Outside In Technology. Note: Outside In Technology is a suite of software development kits (SDKs). The protocol and CVSS score depend on the software that uses the Outside In Technology code. The CVSS score assumes that the software passes data received over a network directly to Outside In Technology code, but if data is not received over a network the CVSS score may be lower. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.1 (Confidentiality and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3102 affects Oracle Outside In Technology, a critical component within Oracle Fusion Middleware that serves as a suite of software development kits enabling applications to process and convert various document formats. This vulnerability specifically resides within the Outside In Filters subcomponent and impacts version 8.5.3, representing a significant security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. The flaw operates through HTTP network protocols, allowing remote attackers to compromise the affected system without requiring prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is inevitable.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Outside In Technology processing pipeline, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate data flows through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This weakness enables unauthorized access to sensitive data and complete access to all data accessible through the affected Oracle Outside In Technology components, while also providing the capability to execute partial denial of service attacks that can disrupt system operations. The vulnerability requires human interaction from users other than the attacker, suggesting that exploitation may involve social engineering elements or targeted user engagement to achieve successful compromise. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability as 7.1, indicating high severity with significant confidentiality and availability impacts, while the vector specifically identifies network-based attack access complexity and the need for user interaction to complete exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3102 extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass potential complete system infiltration and service disruption. Organizations utilizing Oracle Fusion Middleware with the affected Outside In Technology version face substantial risk of data breaches where critical information could be accessed or exfiltrated, while partial denial of service conditions can significantly impact business operations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 indicates a weakness in input validation, while its exploitation patterns align with ATT&CK techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation through network-based attacks. The CVSS scoring reflects the assumption that network data is directly passed to the vulnerable Outside In Technology code, though environments where such data processing occurs through different channels may present reduced risk profiles. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, input validation controls, and regular security updates to mitigate exposure to this vulnerability.
This vulnerability represents a critical concern for enterprise environments that rely on Oracle Fusion Middleware for document processing and conversion services, particularly those handling sensitive information. The combination of network accessibility, lack of authentication requirements, and potential for complete data access makes this a high-priority target for malicious actors seeking to exploit weaknesses in document processing infrastructure. Security teams should prioritize assessment of their Oracle Fusion Middleware implementations to identify systems running the affected 8.5.3 version and implement appropriate mitigations including patching, network monitoring, and access controls to prevent unauthorized exploitation of this vulnerability. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where the Outside In Technology components are exposed to untrusted networks or where user interaction is common, as these conditions facilitate the social engineering aspects of exploitation that make this vulnerability particularly dangerous.