CVE-2018-3192 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Query). Supported versions that are affected are 8.55 and 8.56. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.2 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2023
The CVE-2018-3192 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically affecting the Query subcomponent. This vulnerability exists in versions 8.55 and 8.56 of the PeopleSoft platform, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these enterprise applications. The vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers typically leverage legitimate credentials to exploit such flaws. The affected PeopleTools component is designed to provide query functionality for enterprise data access, making it a critical pathway for potential attackers to gain unauthorized system control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker with high privileged access and network connectivity via HTTP protocol, indicating that the flaw does not require extensive reconnaissance or specialized tools beyond standard network access. The CVSS 3.0 score of 7.2 reflects the severity of the impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains, with a low attack complexity and high privileges required. This vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete takeover of the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools environment, which represents a significant compromise of enterprise data systems. The underlying flaw appears to stem from inadequate access controls within the query processing functionality, potentially allowing unauthorized execution of administrative commands through crafted HTTP requests.
The operational impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers can achieve complete system compromise and potentially move laterally within the enterprise network. This vulnerability affects organizations using PeopleSoft for critical business operations including financial management, human resources, and supply chain processes, making the potential damage substantial. The compromise of PeopleTools components can lead to widespread data manipulation, unauthorized system modifications, and complete disruption of enterprise operations. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face significant risk of regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with minimal technical expertise can potentially leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to enterprise systems.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems to address the identified access control weakness in the Query subcomponent. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to PeopleSoft applications and enforce strict access controls using the principle of least privilege. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns and unauthorized administrative access attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential access control flaws within their PeopleSoft environments. The remediation process should follow the ATT&CK framework's mitigation guidance for T1078 by implementing robust identity and access management controls, and addressing T1566 through enhanced email security and user awareness training to prevent initial compromise. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues in the future, with particular attention to the CWE-284 category of improper access control vulnerabilities.