CVE-2018-3168 in Identity Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Identity Analytics component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Core Components). The supported version that is affected is 11.1.1.5.8. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Identity Analytics. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle Identity Analytics accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Identity Analytics accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N).
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3168 resides within Oracle Identity Analytics, a critical component of Oracle Fusion Middleware that manages identity governance and access control processes. This specific flaw affects version 11.1.1.5.8 of the Oracle Identity Analytics suite, which is part of the broader Oracle Fusion Middleware ecosystem. The vulnerability manifests in the Core Components subcomponent, indicating that the issue stems from fundamental architectural elements that handle identity management functions. The security implications are particularly severe given that Oracle Identity Analytics serves as a central hub for managing user identities, access permissions, and privileged account controls within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on this system typically store sensitive authentication data, access control policies, and privileged account information that makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers seeking to establish persistent access to critical infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows exploitation through HTTP network connections, making it accessible to attackers who can remotely access the system without requiring physical presence or complex attack chains. The CVSS 3.0 score of 7.1 reflects the severity of the potential impact, with a base score indicating high risk across multiple attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can potentially leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the system. The attack vector AV:N (network) combined with AC:L (low complexity) indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited from any network location without requiring specialized tools or extensive knowledge. The PR:L (low privilege requirement) component is particularly concerning as it suggests that even users with minimal access rights could potentially exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple data breaches, encompassing complete compromise of identity management systems that could undermine the entire security posture of affected organizations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized creation, deletion, or modification access to critical data within Oracle Identity Analytics, potentially allowing them to manipulate user access rights, create backdoor accounts, or destroy audit trails. The ability to perform unauthorized read access to a subset of accessible data represents a significant confidentiality risk, as identity analytics systems typically contain sensitive information about user permissions, access logs, and privileged account details. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality aspects of the security triad, with potential cascading effects throughout the enterprise as compromised identity data could be used to gain access to additional systems and resources. The unauthorized modification capabilities pose particular risk to audit and compliance functions, as attackers could alter access controls or delete critical identity management records to cover their tracks.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest Oracle Fusion Middleware releases. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) highlights the fundamental flaw in access control mechanisms that allows unauthorized privilege escalation. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Oracle Identity Analytics systems, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns, and establish strict access controls for administrative functions. The MITRE ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) tactics that attackers might employ to exploit such access control weaknesses. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any additional systems that may be using the vulnerable Oracle Identity Analytics version, while implementing monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized changes to identity management configurations. The CVSS vector indicates that this vulnerability affects the entire system without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without detection, emphasizing the critical need for immediate remediation and continuous monitoring of affected environments.