CVE-2018-3138 in E-Business Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Attachments / File Upload). Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.3, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6 and 12.2.7. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Application Object Library. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle Application Object Library, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle Application Object Library accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle Application Object Library accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.2 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3138 resides within the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite, specifically affecting the Attachments/File Upload subcomponent. This weakness manifests in versions 12.1.3, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6, and 12.2.7, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these platforms. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it with minimal technical sophistication, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such systems are often exposed to external networks.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the file upload functionality of the Oracle Application Object Library. This weakness allows unauthenticated attackers with network access via HTTP to compromise the affected system. The vulnerability requires human interaction from users other than the attacker, suggesting that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering or user deception tactics where legitimate users might inadvertently trigger the malicious upload process. The CVSS 3.0 score of 8.2 reflects the high severity of this vulnerability, with a base score indicating high confidentiality impact and low integrity impact, while the scope is considered changed, meaning the attack could affect additional products beyond the targeted Oracle Application Object Library.
The operational impact of successful exploitation can be devastating for organizations relying on Oracle E-Business Suite implementations. Attackers can gain unauthorized access to critical data within the Oracle Application Object Library, potentially obtaining complete access to all accessible data within this component. Additionally, the vulnerability enables unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against some of the accessible data, creating both confidentiality and integrity risks. The ability to manipulate data through this vulnerability could lead to data corruption, unauthorized modifications, or complete data compromise, particularly concerning sensitive business information stored within the E-Business Suite environment. Organizations may experience significant business disruption and regulatory compliance issues when such vulnerabilities are exploited.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Oracle E-Business Suite versions to address the identified vulnerability. Organizations should implement network-level controls including firewall rules to restrict access to the vulnerable components and consider disabling unnecessary file upload functionality where possible. The implementation of web application firewalls and enhanced input validation mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and monitoring of file upload processes should be conducted to detect anomalous activities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and user authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities and relates to ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the importance of securing externally accessible web applications and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized data access and modification.