CVE-2018-3237 in E-Business Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Support Cart). 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 Applications Manager. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Applications Manager accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.3 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3237 resides within Oracle Applications Manager component of the Oracle E-Business Suite, specifically within the Support Cart subcomponent. This weakness affects multiple versions including 12.1.3, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6, and 12.2.7, indicating a widespread exposure across the Oracle E-Business Suite product line. The vulnerability classification as easily exploitable suggests that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring specialized skills or significant resources, making it particularly concerning for organizations running these legacy systems. The attack vector requires only network access via HTTP, meaning that threat actors can potentially exploit this vulnerability from remote locations without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
This vulnerability represents a significant confidentiality risk as it allows unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle Applications Manager accessible data. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 5.3 reflects the moderate severity of the impact, with the primary concern being the confidentiality aspect of the data exposure. The vulnerability does not permit modification or destruction of data, nor does it provide denial of service capabilities, but the ability to read sensitive information through an unauthenticated access point creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Oracle E-Business Suite for critical business operations. The attack requires no user interaction and does not demand privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can compromise the integrity of business processes that depend on the Oracle E-Business Suite. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive business data, financial records, or operational information becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests that organizations may have been exposed for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or conduct extended reconnaissance activities. The lack of authentication requirements means that even organizations with basic network security measures in place may be vulnerable to exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through Oracle's official security patches and updates, as the vulnerability affects multiple supported versions requiring comprehensive patch management strategies. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, particularly for systems that cannot be immediately patched. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests targeting Oracle Applications Manager components can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when used as a reconnaissance method, though the primary concern remains the unauthorized data access capability. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader Oracle E-Business Suite environment, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security gaps in the system's access control mechanisms.