CVE-2018-3129 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Portal). Supported versions that are affected are 8.55, 8.56 and 8.57. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.3 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3129 affects Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component within the Portal subcomponent, specifically impacting versions 8.55, 8.56, and 8.57. This represents a significant security weakness in enterprise resource planning systems that are widely deployed across corporate environments. The vulnerability resides in the PeopleTools framework which serves as the foundational platform for PeopleSoft applications, making it a critical target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise data integrity. The affected systems typically operate within complex enterprise networks where PeopleSoft serves as a central hub for business processes including financial management, human resources, and supply chain operations.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient authentication mechanism within the Portal component that allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit HTTP access points to gain unauthorized access to PeopleTools functionality. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires network connectivity from external sources, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from remote locations without requiring prior authentication credentials. The attack vector specifically leverages HTTP protocols which are commonly enabled and accessible in enterprise environments, creating an accessible entry point for threat actors. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, significantly increasing the risk to affected organizations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. This integrity-based attack can result in data corruption, manipulation of critical business information, and potential disruption of enterprise operations. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 4.3 reflects the moderate severity of integrity impacts, though the actual business impact can be much more severe depending on the nature of the compromised data. The requirement for human interaction suggests that while the initial exploitation may be automated, successful compromise typically requires user involvement such as clicking on malicious links or accessing compromised portals. This human interaction factor means that social engineering components may be necessary to achieve full exploitation, but the underlying technical vulnerability remains a serious concern.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-3129 should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates to the affected PeopleTools versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of PeopleSoft components to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, though the initial compromise occurs through network-based attack vectors. Regular security assessments and monitoring of PeopleSoft environments should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical enterprise applications from remote exploitation attempts.